The Benue State Police have confirmed that two students who were kidnapped while travelling to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have escaped from their captors.
Police said the two students were part of a group of passengers abducted while travelling in a commercial bus to Otukpo. About 14 UTME candidates were reportedly kidnapped during the incident.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, the bus involved was a Toyota Hiace with registration number BGT 234 S4, owned by Benue Links Limited.
The police also revealed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victims.
Investigations showed that the driver of the bus broke company rules by travelling late at night without approval. He also picked up passengers along the road without recording their details, which goes against standard procedures.
The police said they have sent out special teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and are working with other security agencies to find the kidnappers and rescue the remaining victims safely.
