Eight UTME Candidates Rescued After Kidnapping Ordeal

On Wednesday, a group of eight UTME candidates was kidnapped along the Taraku-Otukpo road in Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State. The victims, including Augustin, Okechalo Emmanuel, and others, were subjected to severe beatings and forced to drink dirty water during their captivity.

They were abducted while traveling to their homes after an exam, with the incident occurring around 8:26 PM due to a vehicle breakdown. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N10 million, but the families managed to deliver N3-4 million in cash along with supplies worth N33,000.

After four days of torture, the victims were rescued by military personnel following a coordinated operation. Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed their rescue and appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to allow the victims to sit for their missed exams.

The governor also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.