JAMB denies misposting as missing candidate rescued in Ijebu Ode raises safety concerns

In a heart-stopping saga that gripped Nigeria, JAMB candidate Esther Oladele, missing for over 24 hours, was found safe in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The 17-year-old was found on Saturday, April 26, 2025, after a chilling ordeal that sparked a nationwide social media frenzy.

The incident, currently trending on X under the hashtag #IjebuOde, not only highlighted the dangers faced by young exam candidates but also reignited debates about JAMB’s examination logistics. Meanwhile, the board has fiercely defended its central assignment process against accusations of misposting.

Esther’s nightmare began on Thursday, April 24, 2025, when she left her home in Ajah, Lagos, to travel to Epe, where she was scheduled to sit for her 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Friday at 9 a.m. Her brother, posting on X, revealed that Esther planned to stay with a family friend in Epe to prepare. But in a twist of fate, she boarded the wrong bus along the Ajah-Epe road.

Her final, harrowing text to her family read: “I’m scared I Tink I enter rong car my eyes is itchy e be like I want to slip.” 

This cryptic message, hinting at possible drugging or distress, triggered a desperate search, amplified by X posts like one from @PitakwaNews on April 25, 2025, rallying the public to help locate her.

The breakthrough came on Saturday morning when Esther was found in Ijebu Ode, dropped off by notorious “one-chance” operators — criminals who lure passengers into vehicles for robbery or kidnapping.

Her safe return, announced by @TrendingEx on X at 16:15 WAT, sparked jubilation. X user @C_CDon captured the collective relief, writing, “I’m as overjoyed as the family members. What a close shave.” While Esther’s full account remains private, her rescue has turned the spotlight on the dangers candidates face navigating unfamiliar routes to exam centres.

JAMB denies misposting candidates from the centres

This drama unfolded against the backdrop of JAMB’s statement, issued on April 26, 2025, by Public Communication Advisor Fabian Benjamin, Ph.D., addressing rampant misinformation about candidates being posted outside their chosen exam towns.

Posted by @fccpcnigeria on X, JAMB insisted that candidates select their preferred town during registration, with the board assigning centres within that town. To silence critics, JAMB offered a “handsome financial reward” for proof of any candidate misposting, with submissions directed to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) within 96 hours.

The statement dismissed claims of misposting as “erroneous, malicious, and aimed at tarnishing the Board’s reputation”.

Esther’s case has fuelled speculation: was she truly posted to Epe, as her family claimed, or did a mix-up lead her toward Ogun State? 

A related X post by @TEAMOLAYODE2027 highlighted logistical woes, noting that their cousin, residing near Idiroko Border in Ogun State, was assigned to Abijio, near Epe, for a Monday exam.

Such long-distance assignments, even within state lines, can confuse young candidates, especially in areas with spotty transport and security risks. Ogun State, where Esther was found, has recently made headlines for cult clashes and robbery attempts, underscoring the need for safer travel options for students.

Public sentiment on X is a mixed bag. While many, like @sisi_yemmie, celebrated Esther’s “family” reunion, others slammed JAMB’s logistics, questioning why candidates face such perilous journeys.

JAMB’s call for candidates to arrive 90 minutes early for verification aims to reduce risks, but Benjamin noted that some parents overlook these protocols, expecting exams to run like clockwork.

In a lighter yet telling anecdote, Benjamin shared the story of a female candidate who, swayed by her grandfather’s superstitious advice, sat through her exam without answering a single question, awaiting a “miraculous intervention”. This, he argued, reflects a broader issue of gullibility that JAMB seeks to combat.

Esther’s rescue, powered by community vigilance and X’s real-time reach, is a triumph. Yet, it exposes cracks in the examination system. As the 2025 UTME presses on, stakeholders demand better logistics arrangements like clearer centre assignments and robust security. For now, Esther’s family basks in her safe return, hoping her story sparks change to protect future candidates from such nightmares.