Two of the 14 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates abducted from a Benue Links commercial bus on Wednesday, April 15, between 7–8 p.m. along the Benue Burnt Bricks in Otukpo, Benue State, have escaped their captors. The Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number BGT 234 S4, was reportedly travelling an unauthorized late-night route, violating company policy, as the driver picked up passengers randomly without a manifest. One suspect has been arrested, and the driver is undergoing interrogation. Security operatives, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, are conducting a coordinated operation to rescue the remaining 12 passengers. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi criticized the incident as a reflection of deepening insecurity and a failure of leadership.