The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has uncovered and disrupted a sophisticated examination malpractice syndicate during the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Delta State.

The syndicate was uncovered at the College of Education, Warri, following intelligence-led investigations into attempts to compromise the integrity of the examination through technology-assisted fraud.

Preliminary investigations revealed that unauthorized remote access was gained into candidates’ computer systems while the examination was ongoing.

Acting on credible intelligence and digital forensic leads, police operatives carried out a coordinated operation which resulted in the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to the criminal activity.

The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting investigators with ongoing inquiries into the operation.

The Force also disclosed that further investigations had uncovered the involvement of additional examination centres suspected of engaging in similar illegal activities.

Following the development, JAMB withdrew the results from the affected centres pending the conclusion of investigations.

Candidates affected by the withdrawal will, however, be rescheduled to participate in the mop-up examination in line with JAMB’s established procedures.

The police warned candidates, examination centre operators and other collaborators against engaging in examination malpractice, cyber-assisted fraud or unauthorized intrusion into examination systems.

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

The investigation into the syndicate is ongoing.