Manny Ita –
Tension has gripped parts of Benue State following the reported abduction of 14 candidates sitting for the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), in what has become another troubling security incident affecting students in Nigeria.
According to local sources, the victims—mostly teenagers—were on their way to an examination centre when armed men intercepted their vehicle along a vulnerable route. The attackers reportedly forced the candidates and others in the vehicle into the bush at gunpoint, leaving behind a scene that has since drawn outrage and fear among residents.
The incident occurred amid heightened movement of students across states for the nationwide examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), raising fresh concerns about the safety of candidates, especially in regions prone to banditry and kidnapping.
Security agencies, including the police and local vigilante groups, have launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests and rural areas. Officials say efforts are ongoing, though no arrests or confirmed contact with the abductors had been announced at the time of reporting.
Parents and guardians of the affected candidates have expressed deep distress, calling on the government to intensify security around examination routes and centres. Some have also questioned the decision to maintain centralized exam locations in areas with known security challenges.
Education stakeholders and civil society organisations have condemned the attack, urging authorities to prioritize student safety and consider alternative arrangements, such as decentralised testing or enhanced escort systems for candidates in high-risk zones.
This latest abduction adds to a growing list of incidents where students have been targeted, further highlighting the intersection between Nigeria’s security challenges and access to education. As the UTME continues nationwide, many families are now weighing the risks associated with travel to examination centres.
Authorities have assured the public that every effort is being made to secure the safe release of the abducted candidates, while investigations into the attack are ongoing.
