JAMB clarifies rumour of kidnapped candidates
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board JAMB
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has dismissed reports claiming that 15 candidates travelling from Onitsha to Okigwe for their examination were kidnapped, describing the information as false and misleading.
JAMB in a statement issued on Monday, clarified that the candidates had arranged group transportation from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Okigwe, Imo State, to sit for their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The body explained that the candidates vehicle broke down in an area with poor network coverage, making it impossible to call for help or update their families.
The statement partly reads, “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 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?”
