Authorities have clarified that individuals recently kidnapped along the Makurdi–Otukpo axis were not candidates of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), correcting earlier reports that linked the incident to the examination.
In a statement, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said seven of the victims have been successfully rescued by security agencies, describing the development as a major relief while efforts continue to secure the release of others still in captivity.
The board explained that contrary to initial claims, the victims were not travelling for the UTME but had attended a police recruitment exercise in Makurdi and were on their way back to Otukpo when they were abducted.
JAMB expressed concern over what it described as the spread of unverified information, noting that some reports hastily linked the incident to its examination schedule without factual basis.
“It is regrettable that in moments like this, there is a tendency to hastily malign institutions without proper verification of facts,” the board said, urging the public to exercise caution and responsibility in disseminating information.
The examination body further stressed that the structure of the UTME makes it unlikely for candidates to be assigned the same centre in groups or travel together, pointing to inconsistencies in the earlier narrative.
While welcoming the rescue of the seven victims, JAMB called for sustained efforts by security agencies to secure the freedom of the remaining abducted persons, emphasizing that no Nigerian deserves to fall victim to criminal acts.
The board reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high operational standards and urged citizens to support national institutions through accurate reporting and constructive engagement.