The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a rapid response team across examination centres nationwide ahead of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

This is as the police dismissed circulating rumours about threats to candidates’ safety as unfounded.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, said the police were aware of “recent unfounded rumours” concerning the safety of some centres in a North Central state, but stressed that such claims had no basis.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically state that these claims are without basis.

“While the NPF does not act on rumours, the concerns raised by members of the public have been duly noted as it concerns the safety, education and future of our children and wards,” the statement noted.

He said the police had taken proactive measures to ensure a secure environment for candidates sitting the examination scheduled to commence on Thursday.

“To this end, extra security has been deployed at examination centres nationwide, both overtly and covertly, to prevent any untoward incidents.

“This includes routine patrols, perimeter checks, and rapid response teams stationed at strategic locations,” the statement added.

Placid added that the police were working closely with other security agencies to monitor and respond to potential threats.

“The Nigeria Police Force is collaborating closely with sister security agencies to monitor and address potential threats effectively.

“Any individual or group attempting to disrupt the examination process will be swiftly identified and brought to justice,” Placid stated.

The police spokesperson reassured candidates, parents and the general public of adequate protection throughout the examination period, urging candidates to comply with guidelines.

“Candidates are encouraged to arrive early at their centres, adhere to examination regulations, and report any suspicious activities or persons to on-site security personnel,” he said.

He also cautioned the public against spreading unverified information on social media, advising them to rely on official updates from the police and JAMB.

“The Force remains committed to maintaining peace, security, and public confidence in all national activities, including the JAMB examinations,” he said.

The PUNCH reports that the 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.

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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

JAMB made the announcement on Thursday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.

“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.

Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.

The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed. The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.

Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide. JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.

The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal” and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.

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A 500-level Building Technology student of Covenant University, Ogun State, Toluwase Jesutunmise, has died after slumping during a football training session on campus.

PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement by the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Timothy Anake, on Wednesday that the incident occurred on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The statement noted that the deceased student had participated in a football training session before stepping out of the game to rest after complaining of leg pain and fatigue.

It added that moments later, his teammates noticed he was gasping for breath and immediately rushed him to the university’s medical centre emergency unit, located opposite the playing field.

He was, however, said to have stopped breathing before arriving at the facility.

The statement partly read, “On Monday, April 6, 2026, the Covenant University community experienced the unfortunate loss of one of our precious students. Jesutunmise, a diligent and vibrant student, participated in a student football training session on campus.

“He stepped out of the game to rest after he was said to have complained of leg pains and being tired. In a short while, his football mates observed that he was gasping for breath, and they responded swiftly by taking him to the medical centre’s emergency unit, which was directly opposite the playing field. However, he had stopped breathing by the time he arrived at the facility.”

The vice-chancellor explained further that despite being brought in without signs of life, medical personnel commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation using an automated external defibrillator, but all efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.

Anake also disclosed that Jesutunmise was subsequently certified clinically dead, with indications pointing to a prior undisclosed heart condition.

The incident generated reactions following alleged claims by some students that Jesutunmise was not placed on oxygen or given immediate respiratory support despite struggling to breathe.

Also an X user @kamiikunre wrote, “This oxygen has been an issue since 2017 KILODEEEEEE!!!! they never have! that medical center is just for decoration.”

Anake, however, clarified in the statement that there was no negligence on the part of the medical personnel and that all necessary equipment required for emergency response was available and utilised.

“We wish to confirm that there was no form of negligence in the response of the medical personnel or a shortage of any required equipment for the treatment.

“The management of the university, led by the vice-chancellor, was at the medical centre from the time of the unfortunate event until the parents arrived and remained with the family until he was laid to rest,” the statement added.

The institution expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the death as a significant loss to the university community and society at large.

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