UTME: 3 arrested as police, JAMB bust ‘sophisticated’ exam fraud syndicate in Delta

The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, says it has uncovered and disrupted a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the conduct of the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, at the College of Education, Warri, Delta State.

The police 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.

Addressing the press on Friday at the Police Headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said preliminary investigations revealed that during the examination, unauthorized remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the exercise was ongoing.


The statement said that, 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 directly linked to the criminal activity.

It said the suspects are currently in police custody assisting ongoing investigations.

The NPF said investigations have also uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected to have engaged in similar illegal activities.

Consequently, the police said JAMB has taken administrative measures, including the withdrawal of results from affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations.

It said candidates affected by the development will be rescheduled for the mop-up examination in line with established procedures.

The Force warned all candidates, examination centre operators and criminal collaborators to desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud or unauthorized system intrusion.

The Nigeria Police Force said it remains committed to identifying, dismantling and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.