Police Arrest Suspected Fake JAMB Coordinator in Anambra

Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Safe School Initiative in Anambra State have arrested a man suspected of impersonating an official of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), in what authorities describe as a coordinated effort to protect the integrity of public examinations.

The suspect, identified as Eric Nwombu, was apprehended at a cyber café in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, the suspect allegedly posed as the designated coordinator for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in the area. 

He was said to have been collecting JAMB examination slips from unsuspecting candidates who visited the café to verify their examination centres.

Police said the suspect’s activities raised suspicion among staff of the computer centre, who subsequently alerted nearby security operatives. Upon noticing the approach of law enforcement officers, the suspect reportedly attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended.

Items recovered from him include eight original JAMB examination slips and an exercise book containing a list of candidates’ names alongside their examination numbers. Investigators say the suspect failed to provide a credible explanation for his possession of the materials.

The police disclosed that preliminary investigations are ongoing, adding that the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka for further inquiry and possible prosecution.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding the credibility of public examinations and protecting candidates from exploitation and fraud.

He called on parents, students, and the general public to remain vigilant, particularly around examination periods, and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.

Authorities say the arrest underscores growing concerns over examination-related fraud and the need for heightened awareness and institutional vigilance to curb such practices.