UTME Abduction: Police arrest Benue Links driver over unauthorised night trip

The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has confirmed the arrest of a driver following an unauthorised night trip that resulted in the abduction of passengers, including candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), in Benue State.

The incident happened on Wednesday evening between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Ikobi in Otukpo Local Government Area, when suspected gunmen intercepted an 18-seater bus belonging to the company and abducted several passengers.

The victims were reportedly among UTME candidates travelling for the examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), a compulsory test for entry into higher education institutions in Nigeria. Kidnappings involving road travellers, especially students during examination periods, have remained a recurring security concern in parts of the country.

In a statement on Friday, the company’s Information Officer, Ehi Daniel, said the driver violated clear operational rules forbidding night journeys due to security threats.

“The management wishes to state unequivocally that the said trip was unauthorised and carried out in direct breach of the company’s operational guidelines,” he said.

He further stated that there is a standing directive banning all company vehicles from travelling beyond 6:00 p.m.

“There is a standing directive prohibiting all company vehicles from undertaking journeys beyond 6 p.m. due to prevailing security challenges,” the statement noted.

According to him, the driver allegedly took the vehicle without approval, picked up passengers, and set out on the journey without proper documentation or clearance.

“The driver, acting without the knowledge or approval of management, removed the vehicle from the company’s premises, picked up passengers and embarked on the journey without due documentation or clearance,” he added.