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Family Faults JAMB Over Denial of Abducted Benue UTME Candidates
Relatives of abducted passengers in Benue have rejected JAMB’s claim that no candidates were on the attacked bus, insisting many were travelling for the UTME exam.
Relatives of a JAMB candidate kidnapped during Wednesday’s attack on a Benue Links bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo highway have rejected the examination body’s claim that none of the abducted passengers were sitting for the UTME.
A family member who spoke to Vanguard said the statement was misleading and insensitive, insisting that most passengers on the bus were candidates travelling for the exam.
“My nephew was on that bus, and he was heading to Otukpo for his JAMB examination. In fact, most of the passengers were candidates. Only a few were not going for the exam.”
He said the timing of the journey confirmed this: “They had exams scheduled for early the next day.”
Reacting to JAMB’s denial, he stated: “It is shocking to hear JAMB say there were no candidates on that bus. That is simply not true. I know this firsthand.”
The family also blamed the examination body’s placement system for forcing students to travel far distances.
“These are the consequences of JAMB’s inadequacies. How do you expect young people to travel such long distances just to write an exam?”
Although he clarified that JAMB was not responsible for the kidnapping, he argued that its system contributes to risk exposure for candidates.
“They sent candidates from Makurdi to Otukpo, and this happened. If those candidates were allowed to write the exam closer to home, this situation might not have occurred.”
He also criticised the tone of the board’s response: “At a time like this, what families expect is compassion, not denial.”
According to him, the victims were scheduled for April 16, 2026 and travelled on April 15.
“My nephew’s exam was scheduled for April 16, 2026, which is why they travelled on April 15. I know this because I personally paid for his registration.”
He urged JAMB to reconsider its position, saying: “I strongly advise JAMB to withdraw that statement and express sympathy. Families are in distress, and dismissing their claims only adds to their pain.”
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