JAMB debunks claim kidnapped Benue travellers were UTME candidates

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has denied reports that the victims abducted while travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo were candidates heading to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB, in a statement by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said investigations have confirmed that none of the kidnapped persons were UTME candidates.

According to the board, the victims were participants in the ongoing police recruitment exercise who had travelled to Makurdi and were returning to Otukpo when they were abducted.

The clarification came as security agencies successfully rescued seven of the kidnapped victims, while efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining captives.

JAMB expressed concern over what it described as the hasty spread of unverified claims linking the incident to its examination schedule, noting that some individuals were too quick to blame the board without establishing the facts.

“It is regrettable that government institutions, particularly JAMB, are often unfairly maligned in situations like this without proper verification,” the statement said.

The Board argued that the original claim lacked credibility from the outset, stressing that UTME candidates are usually assigned to different centres and rarely travel together in groups to sit for the examination.

JAMB said those who circulated the false narrative should apologise for damaging the board’s reputation through what it called unfounded allegations.

While reiterating that the victims were not UTME candidates, the board stressed that no Nigerian deserves to be kidnapped regardless of the reason for travel.

It also called on Nigerians to be more responsible in sharing information and to verify facts before drawing conclusions or attacking institutions.

JAMB maintained that it remains committed to improving its operations and would not be distracted by what it described as baseless criticism.

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