Nigeria’s police, working with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), have uncovered and disrupted a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Warri, Delta State, Southsouth Nigeria authorities said on Friday.
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 at the College of Education, Warri.
Preliminary investigations showed that unauthorised remote access was illegally gained into candidates’ computer systems while the examination was ongoing, the police said.
Acting on digital forensic leads and credible intelligence, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force carried out coordinated operations that led to the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to the criminal activity.
The Police said the suspects are in custody and assisting ongoing investigations.
Investigators said they also uncovered the involvement of other examination centres suspected of engaging in similar illegal activities.
JAMB said it has withdrawn results from the affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations, while candidates impacted by the development will be rescheduled for mop-up examinations in line with established procedures.
The police warned candidates, examination centre operators and collaborators against engaging in examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud or unauthorized system intrusion.
The force said it remained committed to identifying, dismantling and prosecuting criminal networks seeking to undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s educational system.