Pirates abduct UTME candidates, passengers in Calabar; 7 suspects nabbed in Benue
•File photo of sea pirates
No fewer than 20 passengers, including candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), have been abducted by suspected sea pirates along Calabar waterways.
The victims were said to have been seized on Friday when gunmen ambushed a passenger ferry travelling from Calabar, Cross River State, to Oron in Akwa Ibom State, reports Vanguard.
A naval officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers struck mid-journey, opened fire, and whisked away passengers at gunpoint.
Although the exact number of victims remains unclear, sources said several of those abducted were candidates heading to sit for the UTME organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.
Authorities have yet to issue a definitive statement. While the Cross River Police Command neither confirmed nor denied the incident, its spokesperson said the Akwa Ibom Command was better placed to comment.
The attack has heightened concerns over insecurity on waterways, especially for candidates travelling for national examinations.
7 suspects arrested as abducted passengers regain freedom in Benue
In a separate development, the police in Benue State have arrested seven suspected militia herdsmen linked to the abduction of passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway.
The victims, who were kidnapped last Wednesday aboard a Benue Links bus, have all regained their freedom.
Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, said the rescue followed a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies.
According to him, five victims were earlier released, while 13 others were rescued unhurt.
“We have eight suspects in custody, seven of whom are believed to be directly connected to the crime. Some victims have identified them,” he said.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who received the victims in Makurdi, expressed concern over rising kidnappings but welcomed their safe return.
He urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to consider rescheduling examinations for affected candidates.
Confusion over victims’ identity
Initial reports suggested that some of the abducted passengers were UTME candidates. However, both the police and JAMB later clarified that the victims were not examination candidates but individuals travelling for a police recruitment exercise.
JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, described earlier claims as inaccurate, noting that the travellers were heading to Makurdi and were attacked while returning to Otukpo.
How victims were rescued
The kidnapped passengers were freed in the early hours of Sunday after spending about three days in captivity.
Security operatives, working with local communities, traced the suspects to a forest in Okere Ward, Ohimini Local Government Area, where the victims were rescued.
They have since been taken for medical evaluation at a teaching hospital in Otukpo.
Governor Alia reaffirmed his administration’s zero tolerance for criminality and directed authorities to provide medical care and support for the victims.
