On Wednesday evening, between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., a grave security incident marred the commencement of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State. Gunmen attacked a Benue Links commercial bus along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, specifically at the Benue Burnt Bricks axis in Otukpo Local Government Area. This attack resulted in the abduction of 14 passengers, many of whom were young candidates en route to Otukpo to sit for the JAMB examination scheduled for Thursday. Eyewitnesses reported the bus was carrying between 16 to 18 passengers, with only the driver and one other managing to escape the ordeal.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, expressed profound anger and concern over the kidnapping, denouncing it as a heinous act by criminal elements. In a statement via his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia emphasized that such an attack on innocent citizens, particularly students, violated fundamental human values. He promptly reassured the public and victims' families that security operatives had been deployed, intensifying efforts to track the perpetrators. The Governor confirmed that tactical teams were fully mobilised, with coordinated search-and-rescue operations underway to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons. He also reiterated his directive for security forces to clear out criminal groups from forests across the state and affirmed his close communication with security commanders to ensure justice and rescue.

The incident sparked immense distress among families, with one individual identified as RaeSzn on X, publicly lamenting the abduction of her two teenage younger brothers who were among the victims traveling to write JAMB. She recounted that calls to their phones went unanswered until a police officer later recovered one brother's phone from the abandoned vehicle. Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, corroborated the reports, confirming that 14 passengers were indeed abducted into the bush after their bus was intercepted. Commissioner Emenari stated he was personally leading the operations in Otukpo, alongside his team and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), emphasizing that rescue efforts were actively ongoing.

In a significant development, Benue Links Transit, the state-owned transport company, confirmed the arrest of its driver involved in the incident. The company's General Manager, Mr. Alexander Fanafa, disclosed that the driver was in police custody and undergoing interrogation for violating a strict company policy prohibiting night travel, specifically journeys beyond 6 p.m. Fanafa explained that the driver picked up passengers after the park had officially closed, bypassing internal safety checks. The company distanced itself from the driver's actions, stating that any driver flouting this rule exposes passengers to danger and would be treated as a suspect.

Beyond the security breach in Benue, the 2026 UTME, organized by JAMB, commenced nationwide with an ambitious framework but encountered various challenges. Scheduled to run until April 22, the examination is structured into four daily sessions, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to accommodate the nearly 2.2 million candidates participating across 966 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres. Each centre was expected to meet operational standards including functional computer systems, stable internet, electricity, and trained personnel.

However, the opening days were marred by widespread disruptions. Numerous candidates across multiple states reported network glitches, malfunctioning systems, and administrative delays, leading to long waits or inability to complete examinations. Instances included sessions starting hours late, abrupt system shutdowns, forced logouts, and inconsistencies in time tracking. For example, @Ayoola2043576 on X described an exam starting late and being logged out prematurely, while @mogetech faced an inability to log in due to a registration number error. In Ogun State, a CBT centre in Ifo reportedly failed to conduct exams for two batches due to a lack of functional servers and computers, with officials blaming JAMB. Similar issues of repeated system shutdowns and network instability were reported in Kwara and Old Karu, Abuja, with candidates in the latter allegedly asked to leave without extra time. In Lagos, candidates at a CBT centre in Ogba raised concerns about systems automatically submitting exams prematurely.

Adding another layer of controversy, an incident at the Esther Oshikoya CBT Centre in Ibadan involved female candidates being reportedly denied entry or compelled to remove their hijabs. This sparked outrage, as it contradicted JAMB’s clear guidelines permitting religious coverings with minimal adjustments for biometric verification. JAMB officials intervened, and the board later attributed the incident to an "overzealous ad hoc staff member," assuring that it was neither sanctioned by the centre nor the board itself. JAMB reaffirmed its respect for all candidates' religious beliefs and freedom of expression.

Other logistical challenges included candidates being assigned to CBT centres far from their homes, imposing significant travel burdens, as lamented by Innocent Oche from Benue State. Despite these widespread issues, some candidates reported positive experiences. In parts of Abuja and Kano, examinations proceeded smoothly with clear instructions, functional equipment, and well-organized processes, as attested by candidates like Stephen Sonde, Emmanuel Anyaoha, and Elijah Itua.

Security measures were notably heightened across several states. Agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC, and DSS maintained a visible presence at CBT centres in Osun, Taraba, Delta, Cross River, and the Federal Capital Territory, conducting inspections and warning against disruptions. Meanwhile, parents and stakeholders urged the establishment of more permanent, customized CBT centres to reduce logistical inefficiencies and improve the overall examination experience in the age of computer and artificial intelligence.

The 2026 UTME thus began with a complex mix of aspirations and realities, from the harrowing abduction incident in Benue State underscoring broader security vulnerabilities, to the myriad of technical and administrative challenges that affected many candidates nationwide. While efforts continue to secure the release of the abducted passengers and address operational glitches, the varied experiences highlight the ongoing need for robust security, reliable infrastructure, and consistent adherence to guidelines in Nigeria's critical academic assessments.