By Mercy Gadia
The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, has uncovered a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in Delta State.
The police said the operation, carried out at the College of Education, Warri, followed intelligence-led investigations into attempts to compromise the integrity of the examination through technology-assisted fraud and unauthorised remote access to candidates’ systems.
According to a statement on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, operatives arrested three suspects linked to the criminal network.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that during the examination, unauthorised remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the exercise was ongoing,” he said.
He added that the arrests were made following coordinated operations based on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, noting that the suspects were in custody and assisting ongoing investigations.
Placid disclosed that further investigations had uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar illegal activities.
He said the examination body had taken administrative action against the affected centres.
“JAMB has withdrawn results from the affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations. Candidates affected by the development will be rescheduled for the mop-up examination in line with established procedures,” he added.
The police warned candidates, operators of examination centres and other collaborators against engaging in examination malpractice and cyber-related offences.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to identifying, dismantling and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system,” the statement added.