The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have arrested individuals in Anambra State for allegedly hacking into the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) servers managed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
According to security sources, the suspects are part of a larger syndicate comprising over 100 members, specializing in breaching the computer systems of national examination bodies, including JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
The hackers allegedly installed malicious software on examination hardware, enabling remote access to JAMB servers at selected Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers.
Their goal was to manipulate results and undermine the credibility of the CBT system.
Some suspects, who own private schools and colleges, allegedly orchestrated the hack to discredit CBT systems, fearing their full adoption by WAEC and NECO could disrupt their illicit operations.
The arrested suspects are among 20 individuals apprehended across states, including Lagos, Edo, Kano, and Delta.
They are currently in custody in Abuja, and authorities have vowed to pursue additional arrests and ensure all culprits face justice.
A DSS spokesperson assured the public that those found guilty will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Stakeholders are calling for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect future examinations.
JAMB has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
The investigation is ongoing, and no evidence of complicity has been found against the seven JAMB officials who supervised the compromised centres.
About Author
