June 20, 2021

We all contemplated to boycott the exam due to fear of the unknown, but for the assurances from the police authorities in Imo

Candidates of the 2021 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the south east have expressed satisfaction with the security at the Computer Based Test centres for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. UTME is being conducted nationwide from June 19 to July 3.

However, the south east which has in recent weeks been a hotbed of violence and arson experienced heavy security presence at the centres to the admiration of the candidates. In Imo, Ebonyi and Abia, there was noticeable heavy security presence at the centres visited by our reporters.

Anxiety was escalated earlier on Friday night by widespread speculation that gunmen would attack some of the centers in Imo, a state that had witnessed security unrest in recent weeks.

In Imo, some of the JAMB centres visited include Galaxi ICT and Educational Center Ohi Owerri West Local Government Area(LGA), Swintech Computer Institute, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, in Orlu Road, and Spring Tower Computer Institute at Ikeduru LGA.

At Galaxy ICT and Educational Center Ohi, and Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education there was heavy security presence.

The first set of the exam started at about 7a.m and ended by 11a.m while the second batch started by 11a.m and ended by 1p.m.

Some of the candidates expressed happiness over what they described as a hitch-free exercise.

Miss Chinasa Anyawu said the presence of security in the centre boosted their morale.

“I am very happy that we finished our exams without any molestation as earlier rumoured.

“We all contemplated to boycott the exam due to fear of the unknown, but for the assurances from the police authorities in Imo,” she said.

Another candidate, Mr Kingsley Ibe, commended organisers of the exam and security agencies for safeguarding them before and after their exams.

One of the exam facilitators, Mr Emmanuel Agu, said there was no technical issue at his centre Galaxy ICT in the center.

He also confirmed that there was no security problem during and after the exam.

At Swintech Computer Institute Orlu road, the exam went on well with security presence.

Checks showed that all the candidates adhered to the guidelines including disallowing usage of cell phones.

Additional reports from NAN