Benue Governor Urges JAMB to Reschedule Exams for Rescued Students
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
MAKURDI, Nigeria – Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia calls on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to reschedule the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for students recently rescued from abduction.
Alia makes the appeal on Sunday while receiving victims at the Government House in Makurdi, stressing that the affected candidates should not be penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
“These students deserve another opportunity to sit their examinations,” he says.
The victims are among passengers abducted along the Taraku–Otukpo road while travelling to write the UTME.
Authorities confirm that several passengers are initially taken, though some escape while others are later freed through joint security operations and community efforts.
The governor says all remaining victims have now been safely rescued.
He directs health officials to provide medical care for the victims at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital before reunification with their families.
Alia also commends security agencies for their swift intervention.
Their efforts, he says, have helped curb similar incidents and restore public confidence.
Benue State Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari attributes the successful rescue to collaboration among security operatives and local communities.
The governor confirms that suspects have been arrested and urges sustained action against criminal networks.
The appeal places pressure on JAMB to provide flexibility for candidates affected by insecurity as examinations continue nationwide.
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