The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) at the College of Education, Warri, Delta State.
Force PRO, Anthony Placid, who made this known in a statement on Friday, said the operation followed intelligence-led investigations into attempts by criminal elements to compromise the integrity of the examination through technology-assisted fraud and unauthorized remote access to examination systems.
Preliminary investigations revealed that unauthorized remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the examination was in progress. Acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force conducted coordinated operations that led to the arrest of three suspects linked to the criminal network.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators.
Further investigations have also uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar illegal activities.
Consequently, JAMB has withdrawn results from affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations, while candidates affected by the development will be rescheduled for the mop-up examination in line with established procedures.
The Force warned candidates, examination centre operators and criminal collaborators to desist from engaging in examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud and unauthorized system intrusion.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to identifying, dismantling and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.
