The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been overshadowed by insecurity, after gunmen abducted 14 candidates and passengers in Benue State.
The victims were travelling in a Benue Links bus from Makurdi to Otukpo when they were attacked in the evening. Only the driver and one passenger reportedly escaped.
Local authorities confirmed the incident and said security operatives had launched a rescue operation. However, JAMB officials described early reports as unverified, reflecting the confusion that often follows such attacks.
Beyond the abduction, the nationwide exam has been plagued by technical failures, delays, and logistical issues. Candidates reported system crashes, forced logouts, and long waiting hours at several centres.
The situation underscores a troubling reality: even critical national examinations are increasingly exposed to both security threats and systemic inefficiencies.
For many students, the journey to higher education now comes with risks that go far beyond academic pressure.
