Governor Calls for Rescheduling of Exams for Kidnapped UTME Candidates
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged the management of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the examination dates for eight candidates who were kidnapped during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). This call came after the governor hosted the remaining 13 rescued victims at the old banquet hall in Government House, Makurdi.
Alia emphasized that the victims were not responsible for their situation and should not be neglected. He shared details about the incident, stating that many of the students were traveling to Otukpo, with seven being regular passengers. On the day of the kidnapping, 15 out of the 18 passengers on a Benue Links bus were taken by armed individuals between Taraku and Otukpo in Gwer East and Otukpo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. One victim managed to escape, followed by another the next day.
The governor expressed his gratitude to the security agents and communities for their collaboration in rescuing the remaining 13 victims. He also directed the state Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, to take the victims to the State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi for medical check-ups before they are handed over to their families.
Alia praised the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and all heads of security agencies in the state for their efforts in rescuing the victims. He recalled that security operatives have consistently demonstrated diligence in their duties, rescuing several kidnapping victims across the state in recent times.
In addition, the governor confirmed that seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the latest kidnapping. He appealed to security agents to intensify efforts to eliminate criminal elements in ungoverned areas, emphasizing that the people deserve to live in peace.
Collaborative Efforts Lead to Successful Rescue
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, highlighted the collaborative efforts of all security agencies and the communities in facilitating the rescue. He noted that 18 passengers, including UTME candidates, were traveling to Otukpo when they were abducted by gunmen around 8 pm on Wednesday night.
The UTME candidates, whose examination center was in Otukpo, approximately 105 kilometers from Makurdi, had planned to spend the night there before their early examination period. Unfortunately, they were kidnapped just a few kilometers away from Otukpo.
Despite this, the management of JAMB issued a statement on Saturday denying that any of its candidates were among the kidnapped individuals. However, a relative of one of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, criticized JAMB for not conducting thorough investigations before making the statement.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by students and travelers in the region. The governor’s call for rescheduling the exams for the affected candidates underscores the need for flexibility and support in such situations. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of community cooperation and effective security measures in preventing such incidents.
The events surrounding the kidnapping and subsequent rescue have sparked discussions about the safety of students and the responsibilities of institutions like JAMB in ensuring the well-being of their candidates. As the state continues to address these issues, the focus remains on providing support to the victims and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences.
