The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has foiled a sophisticated technology-driven examination malpractice operation during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Delta State, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
The suspects were apprehended following intelligence-led investigations into attempts by criminal elements to compromise the integrity of the examination through cyber-assisted fraud and unauthorized remote access to examination systems at the College of Education, Warri.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, preliminary findings revealed that unauthorized remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the UTME was ongoing.
The police said operatives, acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, carried out coordinated operations that led to the arrest of the three suspects directly linked to the criminal activity.
“The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting ongoing investigations,” the statement said.
Investigations have also uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar illegal activities.
In response to the development, JAMB has withdrawn the results of affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations. The examination body also announced that candidates affected by the disruption would be rescheduled for the mop-up examination in line with established procedures.
The Nigeria Police Force warned candidates, examination centre operators, and criminal collaborators to desist from engaging in examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud, or unauthorized intrusion into examination systems.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to identifying, dismantling, and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.
The incident highlighted growing concerns over the use of sophisticated digital tools and cybercrime techniques to manipulate public examinations in the country.
