Governor Hyacinth Alia has confirmed that eight of the recently rescued passengers from a Benue Links bus were candidates for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The victims were part of a group of 18 passengers abducted on Wednesday, April 15, while traveling to Otukpo to sit for their exams.
Their rescue followed a joint operation by the Benue State Police Command and other security agencies, which also led to the arrest of seven suspects.
They regained their freedom early Sunday after spending about three days in captivity.
The rescued individuals, among them three girls, were brought to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, accompanied by their parents and guardians, for official reception by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The victims appeared visibly exhausted following their ordeal. Meanwhile, documentation processes are ongoing ahead of their formal reception by the governor.
