JAMB: DSS, Police Nab 20 Suspects Over 2025 UTME Result Hacking
At least 20 individuals are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force in Abuja for allegedly hacking the 2025 Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Investigations by TechDigest revealed that the suspects are part of a larger cybercrime syndicate believed to include over 100 members. The group is accused of targeting examination bodies such as JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO) by hacking their computer servers to manipulate examination outcomes.
Security sources confirmed on Friday that the suspects have confessed to deploying sophisticated tactics aimed at sabotaging the CBT system. Their goal, according to the confessions, was to discredit JAMB and frustrate ongoing efforts to adopt CBT for other national examinations like WAEC and NECO.
One of the suspects allegedly admitted to installing malicious software on JAMB hardware, enabling remote access to the examination body’s servers at targeted CBT centres.
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“The hackers would set up routers near CBT centres to override JAMB’s systems, allowing special candidates—who paid hefty sums—to receive answers during the exam,” the source explained.
He further stated that the breach affected exam integrity, with the inserted software disrupting the alignment between questions and the answers submitted, contributing to widespread failures during the exercise.
According to findings, candidates paid between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million for access to the illicit services. The suspects reportedly include school proprietors who run unaccredited ‘special centres’ and rake in profits from examination malpractices. They are believed to oppose the expansion of CBT-based exams, fearing the move would cripple their operations.
While arrests have been made in states including Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Kano, and Delta, the identities of the suspects are being withheld pending their arraignment in court.
The DSS, according to the source, had been secretly investigating the syndicate and made the arrests following months of surveillance. He also clarified that no evidence of involvement had been found against the seven JAMB staff who supervised the affected CBT centres.
Further arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
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