DSS and Police Arrest 20 Suspects for Hacking JAMB Exams
Security agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police have arrested 20 people in Abuja. They are accused of hacking into the computer system used for the 2025 UTME exams conducted by JAMB.
The suspects are part of a larger group of over 100 people who hack into exam systems, including those of JAMB and NECO. Reports say they admitted to damaging JAMB’s system to discredit computer-based tests and push for a return to paper exams.
The hackers used special software to break into JAMB’s servers. They also set up illegal routers near exam centers to change answers for candidates who paid between ₦700,000 and ₦2 million. This caused many students to fail, with over 1.5 million out of 1.9 million scoring below 200 out of 400.
The DSS had been secretly tracking the group before making arrests in Lagos, Edo, Anambra, Kano, and Delta. More arrests are expected. The suspects will soon face trial, but their names have not been released yet.
JAMB’s registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had earlier admitted there were errors in the exam. Only 0.63% of candidates scored above 300.
Authorities say the hackers not only wanted money but also wanted to destroy trust in JAMB’s computer exams. Investigations continue to find other members of the group and check if any JAMB staff were involved.
This is not the first time hackers have targeted Nigerian exams. In 2024, police arrested 147 people for cybercrimes, including hacking JAMB’s systems. Experts are calling for better cybersecurity to protect exams in the future.
The DSS and police are working to restore confidence in Nigeria’s exam system and prevent further attacks.
