20 Arrested for Hacking JAMB Servers in Nationwide Exam Fraud Scheme

At least 20 individuals have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja for allegedly hacking the servers of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) during the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The suspects, reportedly part of a larger syndicate of over 100 members, are accused of targeting examination bodies such as JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO) by infiltrating their computer-based testing systems. Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that those arrested have admitted to compromising JAMB’s Computer-Based Test (CBT) infrastructure in an effort to undermine public trust in digital examinations and discourage future use for other national assessments like WAEC and NECO.

One suspect allegedly confessed that the group used malicious software to remotely breach JAMB servers at selected CBT centres. Investigators believe the syndicate installed specialized routers near exam centres to override JAMB platforms, allowing certain candidates—who paid between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million—to receive answers during the exams. The interference led to major discrepancies between questions and responses, contributing to widespread failure among candidates.

The suspects hail from various states including Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Kano, and Delta. Authorities have withheld their identities for now, pending formal charges.

Security agencies had reportedly been tracking the syndicate for some time. A coordinated nationwide operation led to the recent arrests, with further detentions anticipated. Preliminary findings also indicate that some of those involved own private schools and operate illegal “special centres” designed to guarantee inflated scores for paying candidates. These operators are believed to be opposing the broader adoption of CBT formats for fear it would jeopardize their illicit business.

As of the latest updates, no JAMB staff have been found complicit in the attacks, though investigations are ongoing.