Reschedule exam for kidnapped candidates – Governor tells JAMB

Reschedule examination for kidnapped candidates – Governor tells JAMB

Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for eight candidates who were abducted last week in the state.

The governor made the appeal on Sunday in Makurdi while hosting 13 victims who were rescued by security operatives after the incident.

According to him, the affected candidates were travelling to Otukpo to sit for the examination when they were kidnapped, stressing that they should not be disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

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“Today all the remaining victims have been rescued by security agents with the cooperation of the communities. I call on JAMB to look into the case of the students and reschedule their examination,” he said.

The governor said 15 of the 18 passengers on board a Benue Links vehicle were abducted last Wednesday night along the Taraku–Otukpo axis in Gwer East and Otukpo local government areas.

He directed the state Commissioner for Health to ensure the victims receive medical attention at the state university teaching hospital before reunification with their families.

Alia also commended security agencies for the rescue operation, noting that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Benue State Police Commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari, said the operation involved coordinated efforts between security agencies and local communities.

The development comes amid earlier claims by JAMB that none of its candidates was among those abducted, a position that has since drawn criticism from relatives of some victims