The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for eight candidates who were abducted last Wednesday while en route to sit for the examination.

Alia made the appeal on Sunday at the Government House in Makurdi while receiving 15 rescued victims of the incident, including the affected candidates. He urged the examination body to provide an alternative date, assuring that the state government would support the students in completing the process.

“I invite you to kindly reschedule their examination and communicate a new date. We, as a state, are ready to provide the necessary support,” the governor said.

The incident occurred on April 15 when armed men intercepted a Benue Links bus in the Burnt Bricks area of Otukpo Local Government Area. The attackers reportedly robbed passengers before abducting several individuals, including the UTME candidates who were travelling to Otukpo to write their exams.

Security agencies subsequently launched a coordinated operation across neighboring areas, resulting in the rescue of all 18 abducted victims. Three victims had earlier escaped, while the remaining 15 were freed on Sunday.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police confirmed the development and announced the arrest of seven suspects in connection with the attack, describing it as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation. He added that the arrests were made through intelligence-driven operations and that the suspects remain in custody.

Meanwhile, the rescued victims are expected to undergo medical evaluation and care as investigations into the incident continue.