The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that two Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, candidates who were among passengers abducted in a commercial bus have escaped from their captors.
The Police Command added that efforts are being made to rescue the other abducted candidates.
Salient Times reports that about 14 candidates travelling to Otukpo for the UTME were abducted in Benue State.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, on Friday, said the vehicle involved was a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BGT 234 S4 belonging to Benue Links Limited.
According to the police, one suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The police spokesperson disclosed that the driver violated company policy by embarking on an unauthorised late-night journey.
According to Edet, the driver picked up passengers randomly along the route without issuing a formal manifest, contrary to standard operating procedures.
“The Command has deployed several tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and is working with other sister agencies to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the victims,” the statement said.
