The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that victims abducted along the Makurdi–Otukpo route were candidates heading for the 2026 UTME.
In a statement by its Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, the board said investigations confirmed that none of the victims were examination candidates.
Instead, JAMB explained that those abducted were participants in an ongoing police recruitment exercise returning from Makurdi.
“It is regrettable that government institutions, particularly JAMB, are often unfairly maligned in situations like this without proper verification,” the statement said.
The clarification comes after security agencies rescued seven victims, while efforts continue to free others still in captivity.
JAMB urged the public to verify information before sharing, warning against spreading unconfirmed claims.
