The father of two victims abducted Wednesday from a Benue Links bus en route to Otukpo has cried out over ransom demands by their captors, who he said are insisting on N9 million for each of his kidnapped children.

The victims were among those seized when armed men intercepted the bus and forced passengers into nearby bush paths.

Recall that on Wednesday, passengers of an 18-seater Benue Links bus from Makurdi were abducted a few kilometres to Otukpo town, by assailants suspected to be armed herdsmen.

Days after the incident, the father of two victims said the family is in distress over the matter and had already commenced negotiations with the kidnappers.

The worried father, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the abductors had repeatedly shifted their ransom demands, worsening the family’s anguish.

He said, “I have two children that were kidnapped in the bus and they have not released any of them. The kidnappers have opened discussions with us.

“They initially demanded N10 million for each of my children. Later, they reduced it to N500,000 but shortly after, they called back and insisted it would be N9 million each. Up till now, we are still begging them.”

He said his family is financially incapable of meeting the demand, adding that they are now relying on prayers and government intervention.

“We are pleading with the government to comb the bushes and bring back the children because we do not have any hope of getting them back. Even if you sell me, I cannot be worth that N9 million being demanded for each of them,” he said.

The father disclosed that his children were students travelling from Nasarawa State when they were abducted.

“My children were coming from school in Nasarawa State. They boarded a vehicle from Nasarawa State and on getting to Makurdi they joined another bus to Otukpo, and that was when they ran into wrong hands,” he explained.

He further appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations, warning that the situation has left the family devastated.

“The government should intensify their search so that our children will come back alive to meet us. Since this incident happened, my wife has not eaten. We are appealing to the government to help us,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, claimed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Part of the statement read, “The Benue State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a significant breakthrough following the kidnapping incident that occurred on April 15, 2026, in Otukpo.

“In a coordinated joint security operation involving the Police and other sister security agencies, operatives are conducting a targeted search-and-rescue mission in Amla Forest and adjoining areas. The operation has led to the successful rescue of some of the victims, who are currently receiving medical attention.

“Further intelligence gathered in the course of the operation led to the arrest of seven suspects, who are currently in police custody while investigation is ongoing.”

The family of a Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination candidate abducted during Wednesday’s attack on a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi-Otukpo road has condemned the examination body for denying that none of the victims was its candidates.

Speaking to Vanguard, a relative of one of the victims who preferred anonymity, said JAMB’s statement was “disturbing and dismissive,” stressing that a large number of passengers on the bus were travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

“My nephew was on that bus, and he was heading to Otukpo for his JAMB examination. In fact, most of the passengers were candidates. Only a few were not going for the exam. That explains why they hurried to travel that evening, they had exams scheduled for early the next day.”

Reacting further he added, “It is shocking to hear JAMB say there were no candidates on that bus. That is simply not true. I know this firsthand.”

The family further linked the incident to what they described as JAMB’s “problematic posting system,” which often requires candidates to travel long distances to write examinations.

“These are the consequences of JAMB’s inadequacies. How do you expect young people to travel such long distances just to write an exam? Some candidates are even posted from Makurdi to places as far as Jalingo in Taraba State.

“While we are not blaming JAMB for the kidnapping, they must accept responsibility for creating the conditions that expose candidates to such risks.”

He continued, “They sent candidates from Makurdi to Otukpo, and this happened. If those candidates were allowed to write the exam closer to home, this situation might not have occurred. I know several people, including my neighbours, who travelled that same route because JAMB posted them there.”

The relative criticised the examination body for what he described as a lack of empathy, noting that its response failed to acknowledge the pain of affected families.

“At a time like this, what families expect is compassion, not denial,” he said.

“Instead of showing concern and supporting efforts to secure the victims’ release, they are focused on disputing whether those abducted were candidates. That is insensitive,” he added.

He provided further clarification, saying, “My nephew’s exam was scheduled for April 16, 2026, which is why they travelled on April 15. I know this because I personally paid for his registration. That bus carried more candidates than any other group of passengers.”

While acknowledging that JAMB did not organise the journey, he insisted the board still bears some responsibility.

“They may argue that they didn’t arrange the transport, but these were candidates travelling for an exam conducted by JAMB. That connection alone should make them more responsive and responsible,” he said.

He urged the examination body to retract its statement and show solidarity with the victims’ families.

“I strongly advise JAMB to withdraw that statement and express sympathy. Families are in distress, and dismissing their claims only adds to their pain. It is unfair and unacceptable,” he said.

…Cites critical projects, policies, interventions

…Donates N100m for Mbah’s Nomination Form

…One-term promises a big scam, Ken Nnamani warns

The people of Enugu West Senatorial District have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for a second term in office, citing their policies, projects, programmes, and interventions that have positively impacted the nation, South East, and Enugu State in particular.

To make good on the endorsements, the people, who swarmed the Awgu Local Government Secretariat field in their thousands on Saturday, also presented a cheque for the sum of N100 million to Dr. Mbah for the purchase of his nomination form, vowing to defend their position with their last vote.

This was even as former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, dismissed promises by some gubernatorial and presidential aspirants to do just one term, saying they were not being sincere with Nigerians.

Conducting the endorsement process, the lawmaker representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone, Senator Osita Ngwu, said their decision was based on conviction informed by evident results rather than sheer politics.

“Today, we can see the best Command and Control Centre to help improve our security in Enugu. We have Smart Schools in every one of our wards. We have seen Type-2 Healthcare Centres. We have seen roads.

“Before now, if you were going to Aguobu Owa through 9th Mile, it would seem like a journey of no return. But now, it takes you only a few minutes. It is the handiwork of Governor Peter Mbah. These are not promises; these are realities; these are dividends of democracy. This is what happens when leadership is bold. No weakness, no excuse, no apologies. Just results.

“At the national level, we have seen the transformational effects of the President. We are benefiting here in the South East and Enugu State in particular. We thank our governor, who was bold and did not delay to connect us to the centre,” Ngwu asserted.

Speaking, former Chief of the Naval Staff/Military Governor of Old Anambra State, Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (rtd.), and former Military Administrator of Gombe State, Group Capt. Joseph Orji (rtd.), said they totally aligned with the sentiments expressed by their people in supporting Tinubu’s and Mbah’s re-election.

“The testimonies today are accurate. The people have spoken. All we want to do is to ask you to go back and do more,” Madueke stated.

Also speaking, Senator Ken Nnamani and the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, urged the people to be wary of those who promise to do one term, insisting they were not promise keepers.

“They will not keep to such promises. Some people tell lies with confidence. You should be careful. As for Enugu State, you have waited for four years, with another four years remaining. But any other candidate apart from Mbah does not guarantee Enugu West’s turn by 2031. Besides, currently on the stage, we have someone with integrity and performance. Even among his colleague governors, he is highly rated. And he is ready to continue to perform,” Nnamani added.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, an obviously elated Governor Mbah commended the people for always standing up for truth and justice like their forebears.

“This rally is of epic proportions. Nothing prepared me for this. You have also become standard bearers for equity, justice, fairness, and unity. You are also showing that you are not lightheaded; that you are strategic,” he stated.

Mbah went on to enumerate his and Tinubu’s projects, programmes, and policies that were turning the fortunes of the people for good.

On Tinubu, he said, “You have shown that you cannot stand on the margins in recognising the programmes, the policies, and the projects that Mr. President has brought to us here in Enugu.

“By this endorsement, you are recognising the positive results of Mr. President’s efforts in the stabilisation of our macro indicators, making sure that our foreign exchange is stabilised; that our inflation rate is trending downwards; that our foreign reserves are growing above the $50 billion mark, and that the states now have enough money to execute massive projects. The local governments in Enugu State are also executing numerous projects that I am being invited almost on a weekly basis to come and commission,” he stated.

He pledged to continue to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people, also assuring them that President Tinubu would not let them down.

Meanwhile, the motion for Tinubu’s endorsement was moved by the House Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, Hon. Sunday Umeha, and seconded by the Executive Director (Projects), South East Development Commission, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, while that of Mbah was moved by the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, and seconded by the Member representing Aninri State Constituency, Hon. Magnus Ede.

Others who spoke to throw their support behind the respective constituencies were the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh; Chairman, Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Godwin Madu; elder statesman, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu; former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze; Chairman, Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike; CEO of COMAG Construction Company Limited, Chief Cosmas Agu; Chairman of the organising committee, Dr. Charles Egumgbe; former Senator, Ben Collins Ndu; Board member of SEDC, Chief Ugo Agballa, as well as the Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen of Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, Udi, and Oji River LGAs, which constitute Enugu West Zone.