The Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have uncovered a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate allegedly involved in manipulating the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Delta State.
The illegal operation was uncovered during the conduct of the examination at the College of Education, Warri, where investigators discovered attempts to compromise the examination process through technology-driven fraud and unauthorized remote access to candidates’ computer systems.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, preliminary findings showed that some suspects illegally gained remote access to computers being used by candidates while the examination was in progress.
The police said intelligence-led investigations and digital forensic analysis led to coordinated operations by security operatives, resulting in the arrest of three suspects linked to the cyber-assisted malpractice scheme.
The suspects are currently in police custody and assisting investigators with further inquiries into the network.
Authorities also disclosed that investigations had revealed the possible involvement of other examination centres suspected of engaging in similar activities.
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As part of immediate administrative actions, JAMB has withdrawn the results of affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations.
The examination body added that candidates affected by the development would be rescheduled for a mop-up examination in accordance with its procedures.
The police warned candidates, centre operators and other collaborators against engaging in examination malpractice, cyber fraud, or unauthorized access to examination systems.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to identifying and dismantling criminal networks attempting to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s education system through digital and examination-related crimes.