JAMB debunks claim kidnapped Benue victims were UTME candidates
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that individuals recently abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo route were candidates en route to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
In a statement issued by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the board clarified that findings show none of the victims was linked to the examination.
JAMB explained that those kidnapped were actually involved in the ongoing police recruitment exercise. They had travelled to Makurdi and were on their way back to Otukpo when the incident occurred.
The clarification comes as security operatives have rescued seven of the victims, while efforts are still ongoing to free others held in captivity.
Reacting to the reports, the board criticised the spread of unverified information, noting that it was wrong to hastily connect the abduction to its examination process without proper checks.
“It is regrettable that government institutions, particularly JAMB, are often unfairly maligned in situations like this without proper verification.”
JAMB also pointed out that the earlier claims did not add up, explaining that UTME candidates are typically assigned to different centres and do not travel in groups to write the exam.
The board urged those who shared the false narrative to apologise, saying such misinformation harms its reputation.
While maintaining that the victims were not UTME candidates, JAMB stressed that no one deserves to be kidnapped under any circumstance.
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