Fresh Benue Attack Leaves Over 10 Dead Amid UTME Safety Fears in Plateau
In a tragic escalation of violence, over 10 residents are feared dead following a late-night assault on the Ankpali community in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State. The attack, which occurred on Sunday night, has plunged the rural settlement into mourning, with several individuals still unaccounted for as search efforts intensify. This incident underscores the worsening insecurity plaguing the region, adding to a grim tally of previous violence.
Details of the Benue Attack
Residents reported that armed assailants, described as Fulani militia, stormed the village under the cover of darkness, opening fire indiscriminately. The sudden violence sparked widespread panic, forcing many families to flee for safety. According to local accounts, this is not the first such tragedy in Ankpali; last year, 13 people were killed in a similar attack by Fulani herdsmen, highlighting a persistent pattern of conflict.
Reacting to the latest killings, Ojotu Ojema, the lawmaker representing Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, condemned the act as "barbaric, senseless, and a tragic reminder of the persistent security challenges" facing both the constituency and Benue State at large. His statement echoes growing concerns over the inability to curb such violence, which continues to claim innocent lives and disrupt communities.
UTME Safety Concerns in Plateau
Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, students and parents in Jos, Plateau State, have voiced significant safety apprehensions ahead of the forthcoming Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations. The anxiety stems from recent security challenges in Plateau, particularly in areas such as Jos North, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and other local government areas where candidates have been posted to sit for the test.
One candidate, Afodia Joseph, expressed distress over her posting to Bokkos, describing the area as volatile due to recent incidents. Similarly, Mrs. Roseline Moses emphasized to journalists that the safety of candidates must be prioritized, especially in regions with known security risks. These concerns have heightened fears among candidates and their families, who worry about traveling to and from examination centers during this precarious period.
Calls for JAMB to Review Posting Strategy
In response to the mounting worries, Abdullahi Salihu Malami, Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) for Jos North LGA Chapter, has urged JAMB to urgently review its posting strategy for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Malami noted that the call follows numerous complaints from parents, stakeholders, and faith-based groups regarding the safety and welfare of candidates scheduled to take the exam between April 25 and May 5.
He highlighted that candidates have been assigned to distant and security-sensitive locations, including Bassa, Bokkos, Riyom, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Jos North, and Jos South, without adequate consideration for prevailing security and logistical realities. With candidates required to report to centers as early as 6:30 a.m. each day, the risks are compounded, raising urgent questions about the board's planning processes.
Efforts to reach JAMB officials for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, leaving many questions unanswered about potential adjustments to ensure candidate safety. As both Benue and Plateau grapple with these intertwined issues of violence and educational disruption, the need for coordinated security and administrative responses becomes increasingly critical to protect lives and uphold academic integrity.
