MAKURDI, BENUE STATE– The Benue State Police Command and the Joint Admissions and Enlisting Board (JAMB) have debunked reports declaring that the 18 passengers abducted along the Makurdi-Otukpo road on April 15 were students travelling for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Admission Assessment (UTME).
In separate statements released on Saturday, April 18, both firms clarified that the victims were really individuals in a current authorities recruitment exercise, successfully halting the wave of social media misinformation that had drawn sharp criticism versus the examination board.
Cops and JAMB Set the Record Straight
Cops representative Edet Udeme attended to the errors head-on, stating that the victims were passengers in a Makurdi-bound bus and were not part of any organised student convoy for the nationwide exams.
Corroborating the authorities report, JAMB spokesperson Fabian Benjamin exposed that the individuals were going back to Otukpo from an authorities recruitment exercise when the ambush occurred.
Benjamin expressed remorse over the rush with which some platforms “malign government institutions” without fact-checking.
Read likewise: Hijab Restrictions at JAMB Centres: A Recurring Offense That Demands Immediate Responsibility.
The Gravity of the Crime
While the identities of the victims have actually been clarified, both firms emphasised that the change in narrative does not lessen the catastrophe of the occasion.
“No matter their identity or function of travel, no Nigerian deserves to be subjected to kidnapping. Such occurrences need to join us in issue and compassion,” Benjamin mentioned.
Security Outlook in Benue South
The event continues to fuel issues regarding the security of the Makurdi– Otukpo highway, a vital artery that has actually seen a surge in criminal activity.
The Benue State Police Command has intensified efforts to track the abductors and secure the release of the 18 guests.
Security patrols have actually reportedly been increased along the Otukpo axis to avoid further ambushes, specifically as the 2026 UTME begins nationwide.
As of Saturday night, the households of the abducted hires stay in a state of anxiety, waiting for word from the authorities or the captors.
The military and police are stated to be collaborating “bush combing” operations in the surrounding forest locations where the victims were apparently marched.