Police ramp up security for 2026 JAMB exams, dismiss attack rumours

The Nigeria Police Force says it has deployed additional personnel and surveillance technology nationwide to ensure the safety of candidates sitting for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The assurance comes ahead of the exam scheduled for April 16, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, amid viral social media claims of a planned attack on centres in parts of north-central Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, Force spokesperson Anthony Placid dismissed the reports as unfounded but said the police had nonetheless strengthened security across approved examination centres.

According to him, the Force has introduced both overt and covert measures, including increased patrols, perimeter checks, and the positioning of rapid response teams in strategic locations.

“We wish to categorically state that these claims are without basis,” he said, while noting that public concerns were taken seriously given the importance of the examinations.

Security agencies on alert nationwide

The police added that it is working closely with other security agencies to monitor potential threats and respond swiftly to any disruption.

Authorities warned that any individual or group attempting to interfere with the examination process would be identified and prosecuted, reinforcing the government’s stance on protecting critical national activities.

Candidates were advised to arrive early at their centres, comply with examination guidelines, and report suspicious movements to security personnel on the ground.

The police also urged the public to ignore unverified information circulating online and rely only on official updates from JAMB and security agencies.

The UTME is one of Nigeria’s most critical national examinations, with hundreds of thousands of candidates participating annually, making security around the exercise a top priority for authorities.

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