Benue Bus Attack: Family Dismisses JAMB Claim, Insists Victims Included UTME Candidates

The family of a candidate registered with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has criticised the examination body for stating that none of the passengers abducted during a recent attack in Benue State were its candidates.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Wednesday when armed attackers intercepted a bus operated by Benue Links along the Makurdi–Otukpo road. Several passengers were said to be travelling to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

A relative of one of the abducted passengers, who spoke anonymously, disputed JAMB’s position, describing it as inaccurate and lacking sensitivity. According to the source, many of those on board were candidates heading to examination centres.

He said his nephew was among the passengers and had been scheduled to sit for the UTME in Otukpo the following day. The urgency of the journey, he explained, was due to early morning exam timings, which prompted candidates to travel the previous evening.

The family also raised concerns about JAMB’s candidate placement process, arguing that it often requires applicants to travel considerable distances to sit for exams. They linked this practice to increased exposure to security risks, particularly in volatile areas.

While acknowledging that JAMB did not organise transportation for candidates, the relative maintained that the examination body should recognise the broader implications of its logistics system. He argued that assigning centres far from candidates’ locations contributes indirectly to such vulnerabilities.

He further criticised JAMB’s response to the incident, stating that it failed to acknowledge the distress faced by affected families. According to him, what was expected was a show of concern rather than a dispute over whether the victims were examination candidates.

The family has called on the examination body to reconsider its statement and demonstrate empathy, urging it to support efforts aimed at securing the release of those abducted.