Fourteen passengers, including UTME candidates, were abducted by gunmen on Wednesday in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack occurred when armed men ambushed a commercial bus operated by Benue Links Limited, robbing the occupants before taking several into the bush. While initial reports suggested about 17 were taken, police confirmed 14 were abducted, with one escaping during the attack. Two of the kidnapped passengers have since escaped, and security agencies have launched a rescue operation led by the Benue State Commissioner of Police. Tactical teams, including anti-kidnapping units, are conducting operations to secure the release of those still held. The bus driver is under interrogation for allegedly violating company policy by travelling at night and picking up passengers outside approved procedures. One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident. Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned the attack, calling it a "damning indictment of the failure of leadership" and accusing security authorities of focusing more on elections than protecting citizens. He cited Nigeria's low tertiary education attainment—about 1%—compared to Indonesia's 13% and South Africa's 10%, stressing that young Nigerians seeking education are being met with terror.
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