JAMB Clarifies Kidnapped Benue Travellers Were Not UTME Candidates

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has said the travellers kidnapped on the Makurdi to Otukpo road in Benue State were not candidates going to sit for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. At the same time, the board has released the first batch of UTME results for candidates who sat the exam on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

That puts two issues side by side; a clarification on the Benue abduction report, and the release of 632,788 results from the first day of the examination.

JAMB says the abducted travellers were not UTME candidates

JAMB said checks showed that none of the kidnapped persons were registered candidates heading for the UTME.

According to the board, the victims were part of the ongoing police recruitment exercise. They had travelled to Makurdi and were returning to Otukpo when the abduction happened.

That detail matters. It changes the whole claim that spread earlier.

What JAMB said about the false report

In the statement signed by its Public Communication Adviser, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, JAMB expressed concern about the speed with which unverified claims were shared.

The board said people were quick to link the incident to its examination timetable without first checking the facts. It also said the claim did not appear sound from the start, since UTME candidates are usually posted to different centres and do not often move in groups for the examination.

JAMB added that those who spread the claim should apologise for the damage caused to its name through allegations it described as unfounded.

The board also spoke about the kidnapping itself

While rejecting the claim that the victims were UTME candidates, JAMB said no Nigerian deserves to be kidnapped, whatever the reason for the journey.

The board also asked Nigerians to act with more care in sharing information. Its message was plain; facts should come first, and public attacks should not begin before checks are done.

First batch of JAMB UTME results has been released

Alongside the clarification, JAMB announced the release of 632,788 results from candidates who sat for the UTME on Thursday, 16 April 2026.

The board said those results are now available for viewing. This is the First Batch from the ongoing nationwide examination.

How to check the 2026 JAMB result

Candidates who took the examination on Thursday can check their result through SMS.

Steps to check by SMS

1. Open the messaging app on the phone used during registration.
2. Type UTMERESULT.
3. Send it to 55019 or 66019.
4. Wait for the reply.

The text must be sent with the same phone number used for registration. That Same SIM point is part of the process.

Printing is not yet available

JAMB said candidates can only view their results at this stage. Printing is not yet available.

So, the result can be checked now; the print option will come later.

More results will be released in batches

The 2026 UTME started on 16 April and is expected to continue until 22 April at centres across the country.

JAMB said more results will be released in batches as the nationwide exercise goes on. For candidates still waiting, that is the next clear update.

What this means for candidates and readers

The board’s position is direct. The kidnapped Benue travellers were not UTME candidates, and the first batch of results from Thursday’s exam is already out.

For candidates, the task is simple enough now; check the result with the right SIM and wait for later batches if the exam was written on another day.

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Meet The Author

This post is authored by Olusegun Fapohunda, the founder and editor of MySchoolGist.

Boasting over a decade of expertise in the education sector, Olusegun offers current insights into educational trends, career opportunities, and the latest news.

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