20 Suspects Arrested for Hacking UTME Results: A Crackdown on Exam Malpractice

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have arrested 20 suspects for allegedly hacking the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The suspects were apprehended in Abuja as part of a larger operation to crack down on exam malpractice.

According to security sources, the suspects are part of a syndicate of over 100 individuals who specialize in hacking the computer servers of examination bodies like JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO). The suspects have confessed to sabotaging the Computer-Based Test (CBT) system to discredit JAMB and discourage students from using CBT for future examinations.

The hacking process involved influencing high scores for special candidates who paid between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million. This illicit activity undermines the integrity of the examination process and compromises the fairness of the UTME.

The arrest of these suspects sends a strong message that exam malpractice will not be tolerated. The DSS and the Nigerian Police Force are working to ensure the integrity of the examination process and protect the future of Nigerian students.

The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected. The authorities will likely take measures to strengthen the security of the CBT system to prevent future hacking attempts. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of exam administration in Nigeria.