JAMB, Police Refute Reports of UTME Candidates’ Kidnap

The Benue State Police Command and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have clarified that the passengers abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo Road on April 15 were not candidates travelling for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), as earlier reported on some social media platforms.

The clarification follows widespread claims linking the victims of the abduction to UTME candidates, a narrative both institutions have now dismissed as inaccurate and misleading.

Speaking on the development, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Edet Udeme, explained that preliminary findings showed the victims were not part of any organised group of examination candidates. She noted that they were passengers on a Makurdi-bound commercial bus when the incident occurred.

According to her, the reports suggesting otherwise were not verified and should be disregarded, as they do not reflect the actual circumstances of the attack.

Similarly, JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, also addressed the matter, distancing the examination body from the claims. He clarified that the individuals involved were participants in a police recruitment exercise who were returning to Otukpo at the time of the abduction.

Benjamin expressed concern over what he described as the tendency to quickly associate security incidents with JAMB and its examination processes without proper verification. He noted that such narratives place undue pressure on institutions and contribute to the spread of misinformation.

He further explained that the structure of the UTME does not support the idea that candidates would be grouped or travel together for examinations, making the circulating claims inconsistent with established procedures.

While correcting the false narrative, he stressed that the identity of the victims should not distract from the seriousness of the crime. He added that regardless of who was involved, the incident remains a grave security concern that requires collective attention.

In his words, the focus should remain on ensuring the safety of citizens, stating that no Nigerian deserves to experience kidnapping under any circumstance.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed that security forces have intensified search-and-rescue operations in the affected area. According to the command, a coordinated operation involving multiple security agencies led to the arrest of seven suspects, while some of the abducted passengers have been rescued.

The police spokesperson disclosed that the operation was carried out in Amla Forest and adjoining locations, adding that the rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and support.

The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims. He also called on members of the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist security operatives in the ongoing rescue mission.