Benue Governor Appeals to JAMB for Special UTME Sitting After Kidnapping Incident
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has made a formal appeal to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to organize a fresh sitting of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for victims of a recent kidnapping incident in the state. The governor's request comes after eight rescued individuals were identified as students who were traveling to take the examination when they were abducted.
Traumatic Experience of Kidnapped Students
The victims were among passengers traveling along the Makurdi-Otukpo road on April 15 when armed gunmen intercepted their vehicle. According to survivor accounts, several passengers were forced into the bush, disrupting their journey to examination centers. The rescued victims have narrated harrowing experiences of being beaten, starved, and forced to drink unsafe water during their days in captivity.
"They collected my N8,000. They beat us, and we didn't eat anything; we only drank dirty water," one victim recounted. Another survivor added, "They gave us garri and salt. I was thoroughly beaten." The traumatic experience has left the victims physically and emotionally scarred as they attempt to recover from the ordeal.
Governor's Direct Appeal to JAMB
Governor Alia made his appeal while receiving the rescued victims at the Government House in Makurdi. He emphasized the need for special consideration to ensure the affected students do not lose their opportunity to participate in the ongoing examination. "I invite you to please have them scheduled to write this JAMB of theirs, send the date; we are willing in the state to take care of the rest of it," the governor stated during the meeting.
The Benue State government has pledged comprehensive support for the victims, including medical care and assistance as they recover from their traumatic experience. Security officials confirmed that coordinated operations across surrounding areas led to the rescue of all victims after days in captivity, with some suspects linked to the incident already arrested.
JAMB's Contradictory Position
Despite the governor's assertion that some rescued individuals were UTME candidates, JAMB has disputed this claim. The examination body maintains that the victims were not registered UTME candidates but rather participants in a police recruitment exercise. JAMB officials argue that their examination system does not assign candidates from the same area to a single center, raising questions about earlier reports identifying the victims as UTME candidates.
This disagreement highlights the confusion surrounding the victims' actual status and purpose for traveling. However, authorities in Benue State continue to advocate for special consideration regardless of the bureaucratic dispute, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the situation.
Security Response and Ongoing Investigations
Security agencies have confirmed that surveillance and intelligence efforts played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation. Officials stated that anyone found to have participated in the attack would face prosecution as investigations continue. The incident has raised concerns about security along major transportation routes in Benue State, particularly during critical national examinations.
The kidnapping incident occurred against the backdrop of other JAMB-related controversies, including a recent hijab saga at a UTME center in Ibadan where a candidate was reportedly denied entry. JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin clarified that the incident involved an overzealous ad hoc staff member rather than official board policy.
As the situation develops, education stakeholders and security experts are calling for enhanced protection for students traveling to examination centers nationwide. The Benue kidnapping incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges facing educational pursuits in certain regions of Nigeria.
