The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has clarified that individuals recently abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo road were not candidates of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), contrary to earlier reports.
In a statement signed by its Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the Board explained that initial claims linking the victims to the ongoing UTME were inaccurate and misleading.
According to the statement, the victims were participants in a police recruitment exercise who had travelled to Makurdi and were returning to Otukpo at the time of the incident.
The clarification followed the successful rescue of seven of the abducted individuals by security agencies, an effort the Board described as commendable. It also expressed hope for the safe recovery of the remaining victims.
JAMB noted that the spread of unverified information led to unwarranted criticism of the Board, with some reports attempting to connect the incident to its examination processes.
The Board emphasised that such conclusions were not only premature but also ignored key inconsistencies, including the structure of the UTME, which makes it unlikely for candidates to travel together to examination centres.
It further stated that the incident highlights the need for responsible information sharing, urging the public to verify facts before drawing conclusions or assigning blame.
While correcting the narrative, the Board stressed that the safety of all citizens remains paramount, regardless of their purpose of travel, and called for continued efforts to strengthen security across the country.
JAMB reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its examination processes and implementing policies aimed at improving service delivery in line with global standards.
