At least 14 candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have been reportedly abducted by unidentified gunmen in Benue State.

The incident occurred during an attack on a commercial bus travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo, where the victims were headed to sit for their examinations scheduled for Thursday.

According to available information, the victims—mostly young students—were en route to Otukpo when the assailants intercepted the vehicle and carried out the abduction.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the development to journalists in Makurdi, stating that the victims were targeted while traveling for their exams.

“The victims are young people coming to Otukpo to write JAMB. Security agents have been deployed, and efforts are ongoing to secure their release,” Ogiri said.

Authorities have yet to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the attack, while security operatives continue efforts to rescue the abducted candidates.