By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
Governor Hyacinth Alia has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to reschedule examinations for eight candidates from Benue State who were abducted by bandits last Wednesday while travelling to sit for their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The Governor made the appeal at the Government House in Makurdi when the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Enemari, presented 18 rescued victims to him.
He also announced that the state government would award scholarships to the affected students to support their education.
Governor Alia directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services to ensure that the victims receive free medical evaluation at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
He expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping in the state, describing the trend as disturbing and unacceptable.
“It is sad that in recent times, 20 medical students from the University of Jos, 17 persons from Oju, nine parishioners in Ado, and 13 people in Katsina-Ala were kidnapped, though later rescued at different points,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, the governor commended the police and other security agencies for their efforts in rescuing the victims and maintaining pressure on criminal elements.
He disclosed that seven suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate had been arrested and urged security agencies to adopt more proactive strategies to safeguard residents.
Governor Alia also appreciated the Inspector General of Police for deploying tactical teams that contributed to the successful rescue operation.
He, however, sympathised with families affected by recent killings in Mbapa Community in Gwer West Local Government Area by bandits.
Earlier, CP Enemari confirmed that all 18 victims, including those travelling to write the UTME, were rescued from the kidnappers’ hideout, while seven suspects were taken into custody, alongside the driver of the affected bus.
He commended the governor for providing an enabling environment for security operations and pledged continued collaboration with other agencies to curb criminal activities in the state.
Some of the victims recounted that they were on their way to write their UTME in Ugbokolo when gunmen intercepted their vehicle along the highway and forced them into the forest.
The rescued victims presented at the Government House, Makurdi, were Augustine Okechalo, Emmanuel Okechalo, Joshua Elaigwu, Hyacinth Okoh, Paul Wende, Benjamin Nyikwagh and Aondokator Nyikwagh.
Others were Ngukulan Iornav, Daniel Ngutor Gbile, Agatha Buter, John Tersoo Ukaha, Raphael Orih, Emmanuel Orkuma, Timothy Kim and Simon Friday.
