By DAYO ADESULU
In a significant crackdown, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force have apprehended at least 20 individuals involved in a hacking scheme targeting the 2025 Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
These suspects, currently held in custody in Abuja, are believed to be part of a larger syndicate comprising over 100 members who specialize in infiltrating the computer servers of examination bodies, including JAMB and the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Hacking Strategies Revealed
Security sources indicate that the arrested individuals have admitted to sabotaging the CBT system with the intent to undermine JAMB’s credibility and discourage students from opting for CBT in future WAEC/NECO examinations. One suspect disclosed how the syndicate executed their hacking operations by installing malicious software on examination hardware, enabling remote access to JAMB servers at targeted CBT centers.
The suspects hail from various states, including Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Kano, and Delta. Their identities have been withheld pending their court arraignment.
Covert Monitoring and Ongoing Investigations
While public attention was focused on the controversy, the DSS had been covertly monitoring and investigating this network of cybercriminals. The thorough investigations have led to more than 20 arrests nationwide, with further apprehensions still underway.
The hackers employed a sophisticated strategy that involved setting up routers near targeted CBT centers. These routers were designed to override JAMB’s platforms, facilitating access to exam answers for select candidates who paid for the service.
Impact on Examination Integrity
The intrusion of the malicious software caused significant discrepancies between the exam questions and the answers submitted by candidates, which ultimately contributed to a troubling rise in mass failures. Reports suggest that the syndicate aimed to inflate scores for specific candidates, charging between N700,000 and N2 million for this illicit advantage.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that several members of the syndicate own private schools and colleges, profiting substantially from their fraudulent operations. There are concerns that the full implementation of CBT for WAEC/NECO examinations could jeopardize these illegal enterprises.
As of Friday evening, no evidence has been found implicating the seven JAMB staff supervising the service providers at the two locations involved in this operation.
Conclusion
The ongoing efforts by the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force highlight a critical stance against examination malpractices in Nigeria. As investigations continue, the authorities remain vigilant in their quest to uphold the integrity of the nation’s educational assessment systems.
