15 Missing UTME Candidates from Onitsha Found, Reunited With Families as Deputy Speaker Calls for JAMB Audit

Fifteen students who were previously declared missing while traveling from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Okigwe, Imo State, for the rescheduled Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) have been found and reunited with their families, according to the Imo State Police Command. The police shared the update via their official X handle, confirming that the candidates’ vehicle developed a mechanical fault en route, but all were later secured and returned safely. The Command thanked concerned citizens and stakeholders for their vigilance and support in raising awareness about security matters.

In a related development, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called for an independent and transparent audit of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) examination systems. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Kalu criticized the timing of the rescheduled UTME, which clashed with the ongoing 2025 Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), forcing many students, especially from the Southeast and Lagos, to undertake stressful travel and logistical challenges.

Kalu emphasized the need for JAMB to coordinate more effectively with other examination bodies to prevent scheduling conflicts that could hinder candidates’ academic progress. He urged the examination body to implement a clear and accessible system for appeal and remark, especially for candidates affected by technical glitches or the hurried retake. According to Kalu, only a combination of internal reviews and external audits can guarantee fairness and ensure that no student is left disadvantaged.