JAMB Speaks on Alleged Kidnapping of 15 UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has dismissed claims that fifteen candidates were abducted while traveling from Onitsha to Okigwe for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

In a statement released on Monday, JAMB clarified that the vehicle transporting the students had broken down in a location with no mobile network coverage, making it impossible for them to reach out to their families or seek assistance at the time.

However, the examination body confirmed that the students have since safely reunited with their relatives, a fact also verified by the Imo State Police Command.

Naturenex gathered that this clarification followed an earlier social media report from a user identified as @uchePokoye, who alleged that the students had been kidnapped while on their way to the UTME venue.

Refuting the claim, JAMB stated: “This is to inform the general public that no candidates were kidnapped from Onitsha to Okigwe as erroneously reported by @uchePokoye.

“The said candidates arranged a vehicle to convey them from Onitsha, Anambra state to write exam at Okigwe, Imo state. On their way, the vehicle developed a fault and unfortunately, there wasn’t a mobile network in the area, as such, they couldn’t call for help.

“The candidates, according to the Imo state Police, had since reunited with their families, only that Uche Okoye didn’t deem it fit to return to give updates on the misinformation,” the board explained.

JAMB further questioned why the candidates opted for a UTME centre outside their home state when several alternatives were available nearby.

“The questions we’re asking as an agency include — Of all the exam towns in Anambra state, what prompted the candidates’ selection of examination towns in Imo state and why group transportation arrangement?” the statement added.

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