There is a wave of relief across Benue State this morning as security operatives successfully rescued the remaining 13 passengers abducted in the Benue Links incident.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, confirmed in the early hours of Sunday that all rescued victims are currently en route to Makurdi, where authorities are expected to brief the public officially.

The passengers were kidnapped on Wednesday night when armed men intercepted a commercial bus in Otukpo.

Among those taken were reportedly young students traveling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), sparking widespread concern.

Prior to this breakthrough, five victims had already regained their freedom, leaving 13 still in captivity until this latest rescue operation.

However, the incident has not been without controversy. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) denied that any of its candidates were involved — a position that has been strongly disputed by families of the victims, who maintain that several of those abducted were indeed exam-bound students.

With all victims now safely recovered, this development brings renewed hope and relief to anxious families and communities who had been holding on for good news.