The Nigeria Police Force has, in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), uncovered and disrupted a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the 2026 unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) in Warri, Delta state.
Anthony Placid, police spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday, that the operation followed intelligence-led investigations into attempts by criminal elements to compromise the integrity of the examination through technology-assisted fraud and unauthorised remote access to examination systems.
Placid said preliminary investigations revealed that during the examination, unauthorised remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the exercise was ongoing.
“Acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force carried out coordinated operations which led to the arrest of three suspects linked to the criminal activity,” the statement reads.
“The suspects are currently in police custody and assisting ongoing investigations.
Investigations have also uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected of engaging in similar illegal activities.”
Placid said JAMB has taken administrative measures, including the withdrawal of results from affected centres, pending the conclusion of investigations.
He added that candidates affected will be rescheduled for a mop-up examination in line with established procedures.
The police spokesperson warned candidates, examination centre operators, and other collaborators to desist from engaging in examination malpractice, cyber-enabled fraud, or unauthorised system intrusion.
He reaffirmed the NPF commitment to identifying, dismantling, and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.
