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Gunmen Abduct 14 JAMB Candidates, Others in Benue Bus Attack

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Gunmen have abducted at least 14 passengers, many of them are candidates sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), along the Makurdi-Otukpo road in Benue State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night, April 15, 2026, when the victims were travelling in a Benue Links commercial bus from Makurdi to Otukpo.

Most of the passengers were young boys and girls heading to Otukpo to write their JAMB exams scheduled for Thursday, April 16.

The bus (an 18-seater) was ambushed around 7–8 p.m. near Otukpo. Gunmen stopped the vehicle, robbed the passengers, and marched most of them into a nearby forest.

Two people, the driver and one passenger managed to escape, meanwhile the Benue State Police Command confirmed that 14 passengers were abducted, while one additional victim escaped in some accounts.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area and security operatives have launched rescue operations in the surrounding forests. This section of the Makurdi-Otukpo road has experienced repeated attacks by gunmen in recent months, raising serious concerns about commuter safety during the examination period.

Police and local authorities are actively working to rescue the victims. No demands from the kidnappers or further updates on the students’ condition were available as of April 16, 2026.

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More Than 23 Terrorists Killed in Boko Haram-ISWAP Clash in Sambisa (Video)

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More than 23 terrorists have been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State, security sources say.

The latest clashes erupted around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area after Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members advancing into the area. The fighting forms part of a fresh wave of hostilities that began about two days ago.

A video obtained by Zagazola Makama shows sustained exchanges of fire as both groups tried to consolidate positions and block the other from expanding influence inside the forest.

Preliminary intelligence puts the death toll at more than 23 on both sides since the latest round began, though exact figures for each faction could not be independently verified.

The violence underscores the ongoing rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters in Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas. The confrontation has further weakened both groups and disrupted their activities in a long-standing insurgent stronghold.

Security forces are closely monitoring the situation and exploiting intelligence on the factions’ movements. The military continues to target terrorist concentrations, logistics networks and hideouts across the North-East as part of efforts to degrade the insurgents.

Officials have urged communities near the forest to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. The situation remains fluid, with further clashes possible as both sides seek to reposition and reinforce their fighters.

Watch video below:

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10 Out of 15 Abducted NYSC Members Rescued in Kogi (Video)

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The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that 10 of the 15 National Youth Service Corps members abducted by suspected bandits along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area have been rescued.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi said security operatives are combing surrounding forests and intensifying efforts to free the remaining victims.

He dismissed reports that the 10 rescued corps members were among the 11 persons freed during a joint security operation last week, clarifying that those earlier rescued were other travellers caught up in the same kidnapping incident.

The commissioner added that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.

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JUST IN: Terrorists kill 4, abduct others in Gorau after boat tragedy

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Suspected terrorists killed four people, abducted four others and injured several more in an attack on Gorau town in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday night.

The attackers invaded the community around 9pm and shot 11 residents, according to the village head, Alhaji Aliyu Magaji Na-Batsami. Seven of those shot survived and were rushed to hospital for treatment, while four died instantly.

The assault came barely six days after a boat accident claimed 65 lives in the same community. Na-Batsami said the terrorists specifically targeted families of the boat mishap victims over the N1 million relief money donated by the Sokoto State Government to each bereaved family. He said the bandits went from house to house searching for the cash.

Bashir Usman Gorau, the member representing Gada/Goronyo Federal Constituency, confirmed the incident and offered condolences to the affected families.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, were unsuccessful as calls were not returned at the time of filing this report.

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