Gunmen have abducted more than a dozen students on their way to take university entrance exams in Benue state in north-central Nigeria, the region’s governor said late Thursday.
Authorities have not said who they think was behind the attack.
Police have launched a search and rescue operation, as officials vowed to spare “no effort” to find the victims.
Candidates across the region are appearing for the exam amid a stressful environment.
What do we know about the attack?
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Aliya said the attack occurred on the Makurdi-Otukpo road, describing it as a “cowardly act”. He did not say how many people were abducted, but local media reported that 17 students were missing.
A local resident, businessman Mathieu Mawese, told the French AFP news agency that the kidnapping happened on Wednesday evening, adding that a passenger and the driver managed to escape.
“The victims are mainly young boys and girls traveling to Otukpo,” said Maxwell Ogiri, chairman of Otukpo local government area. He said security forces have been deployed in nearby forests to search for the victims.
Security has been beefed up around examination centers in Jos, the Plateau state capital. There have been violent attacks in the state recently in which at least 30 people have been killed.
What are ‘bandit’ attacks in Nigeria?
Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, which includes Benue and neighboring Plateau state, has for years been plagued by deadly farmer-herders clashes over land, as well as attacks by armed groups often referred to as “bandits”.
Violence in Plateau State increased by 71% in 2025 compared to the previous year, partly due to increased activity by groups such as, According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project.
“Bandits” is a loose term used by authorities and the media to describe armed criminal groups operating primarily in northern Nigeria, who often carry out kidnappings for ransom.
Mass kidnappings across wide parts of Nigeria are disrupting education, commerce and travel, leaving residents frustrated and questioning the ability of authorities to deal with the threat.
Edited by: Rana Taha