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Gunmen have abducted several passengers, including candidates of the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, along the Makurdi–Otukpo road in Benue State.

The victims were reportedly travelling in a Benue Links bus from Makurdi to Otukpo when the vehicle was attacked on Wednesday night.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bus conveying about 18 passengers was intercepted near Otukpo around 8 p.m. by suspected bandits who took most of the occupants into the bush.

The source disclosed that two persons, including the driver and a passenger, escaped from the attack, adding that the victims were mostly young people travelling to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, said 14 passengers were abducted while one person escaped.

He stated that he was in Otukpo coordinating rescue efforts with security operatives already deployed to the area.

The police commissioner explained that the incident involved a Benue Links bus attacked by hoodlums while conveying passengers to Otukpo, resulting in the abduction of 14 occupants.

He added that the command had commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the journey, noting that the transport company has a policy against night travel but the driver allegedly picked up passengers after official hours.

Emenari assured that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.

Also confirming the development, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, said security operatives had been deployed into the forest to rescue the abducted passengers.

He noted that the victims were mainly young boys and girls travelling to write the JAMB examination.

Passengers along the Makurdi–Otukpo road have faced repeated attacks by gunmen in recent months.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The South East Development Commission has moved 210 startups into the next phase of its venture capital programme, marking a major step in its push to boost innovation and enterprise across the region.

The shortlist emerged from a pool of more than 1,200 applications submitted by entrepreneurs from across the South East, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven business solutions.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director, Finance and Chairman of the programme, Rt. Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, the selected group includes 128 startups placed in the Incubator Track and 82 in the Accelerator Track, each targeting different stages of business development.

He said the selection followed a rigorous and structured screening process designed to ensure only the most viable and scalable ideas progressed.

The Commission described the outcome as a significant milestone in its broader strategy to nurture innovation, support emerging businesses and strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

It also pointed to the strong quality and volume of applications as evidence of a rising wave of enterprise, particularly in sectors driven by technology and innovation.

Strict evaluation benchmarks were applied throughout the process, with emphasis placed on transparency, credibility and maintaining high standards as the programme advances.

The statement read:“The  evaluation  process  was  designed  to  ensure  fairness,  consistency,  and  alignment  with  the objectives of the program. Applications were first screened for eligibility, including demonstrable ties to the South East, the presence of a meaningful technology component, and full compliance with submission requirements.

“Eligible startups were then assessed across key criteria such as problem–solution  fit,  execution,  market  opportunity,  and  technology.  For  more   advanced ventures, traction and revenue were critical considerations, while early-stage startups were evaluated based on validation and evidence of emerging demand.”

The Commission said the startups that made it to the next stage showed strong potential for growth and scalability.

“The startups advancing to this stage have demonstrated clarity of thought, tangible progress, and credible potential for scale. They now proceed to the next phase of the competition, which will involve a video pitch assessment designed to provide deeper insight into founder capability, strategic thinking, and execution readiness”, it added.

The Commission further announced that the competition will climax in May with a grand finale and investment ceremony.

“The competition will culminate in a Grand Finale scheduled for Monday, May 25, 2026, where top- performing  startups  will  present  their  ventures  before  a  live  audience  of  investors,  operators, policymakers, and other key stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem.

“This will be followed by an Investment Ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2026, where selected startups will receive funding and enter the next phase of structured support under the SEVCP.

“The  South  East  Development  Commission  remains  committed  to  building  a  strong  pipeline  of investable ventures,  strengthening  the regional  innovation  ecosystem,  and  creating pathways  for startups to scale sustainably.

“We extend our appreciation to all founders who applied and to our ecosystem partners, Genesys Tech Hub, Startup South, and The Garage, for their role in supporting a credible and high-quality evaluation process. The work continues,” it stated.

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Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved full educational scholarships for the three children of late Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, who died in active service to Nigeria.

The Edo State Government said the scholarship would cover the children’s education from their current levels through to university, in a move aimed at supporting the family of the fallen officer, who was an indigene of Edo State, and recognising his sacrifice.

The beneficiaries are aged between 12 and 18.

Speaking on the development, the governor described the gesture as both a moral obligation and a demonstration of responsible governance.

“Brigadier General Braimah paid the ultimate price in service to this country.

” It is only right that we stand by the family he left behind and ensure his children have uninterrupted access to education,” Okpebholo said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Patrick Ebojele, on Thursday, read.

The governor noted that the late officer’s death represented a profound sacrifice in the line of duty, adding that the state would remain committed to supporting his family.

He further stated that the initiative aligned with the administration’s broader commitment to honouring fallen military personnel and ensuring their families were not left without support.

“No child of an Edo hero should be denied the opportunity to succeed. This is about responsibility, honour, and a deliberate investment in the future,” he added.

Governor Okpebholo said the scholarship initiative is in line with the education pillar of his administration’s SHINE Agenda, which prioritises human capital development, social welfare, and inclusive governance.

The Edo State Government also called on other state governments and private sector stakeholders to adopt similar measures by providing structured support—especially in education—to families of military personnel who die in the line of duty.

Braimah, described by the governor as a symbol of discipline, courage, and patriotism, died in the course of active military operations in Borno State.

He was one of the soldiers killed on April 9 when suspected Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province members carried out coordinated attacks on military formations in Benisheikh, along the Maiduguri–Damaturu highway.

He was buried with full military honours at the Maimalari Cantonment Cemetery in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Braimah’s death drew tributes from President Bola Tinubu, military authorities, and government officials, who described him as a dedicated officer committed to national security and peacekeeping efforts.