Benue Governor Urges JAMB to Reschedule UTME for Abducted Candidates

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for eight candidates who were recently kidnapped in the state.

The candidates were among passengers abducted last Wednesday along the Makurdi–Otukpo road. They were later rescued by security operatives during a coordinated operation in a forest located in Okere ward, Ohimini Local Government Area.

Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi on Sunday, Governor Alia revealed that 15 people were initially kidnapped during the attack. According to him, two victims managed to escape earlier, while the remaining 13 were eventually freed by Nigerian Army troops with support from local residents.

He explained that several of the victims were students travelling to Otukpo, adding that the traumatic experience could affect their ability to sit for the examination as scheduled.

The governor called on JAMB to consider their situation and provide a new examination date for the affected candidates.

However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the identity of the victims. The Benue State Police Command ранее dismissed claims that those abducted were UTME candidates, describing such reports as inaccurate. JAMB also stated that the passengers were returning from a police recruitment exercise in Makurdi, not heading for the UTME.

Despite the discrepancies, the governor maintained his appeal, urging authorities to show flexibility and support for the affected young people.