The development was revealed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
According to the statement, the investigation followed a petition submitted by the JAMB Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, on August 10, 2026, alleging criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft and fraud.
Following the approval of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence, Operations and Investigation Unit attached to the JAMB National Headquarters commenced an investigation into the alleged scheme.
The investigation initially led detectives to Nasarawa and Katsina states, where persons traced in connection with the operation were subsequently found to be victims who had allegedly been defrauded by individuals impersonating the JAMB Registrar.
Police investigators later established that the syndicate had created fraudulent social media accounts bearing the Registrar’s identity and used them to deceive unsuspecting members of the public under the pretence of offering official JAMB-related services.
Through intelligence-led analysis of the telephone numbers and bank accounts allegedly used in the operation, detectives traced the activities to Anambra State, where they arrested Nwogba Arinze, who was allegedly impersonating the Registrar’s Personal Assistant.
Arinze was arrested on August 27, 2026, and further investigation reportedly showed that he had been using the bank account and debit cards belonging to his late nephew, Edeh Chimezie Benedict, to conceal his identity and avoid detection.
The police said Arinze had access to the deceased’s banking details and cards after being entrusted with them to facilitate funeral arrangements held on July 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, operatives are intensifying efforts to apprehend the alleged principal suspect, identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa, who is said to be a close relative of Arinze, as well as other individuals who may have been involved in the fraud.
The police said Arinze remains in custody and is cooperating with investigators as efforts continue to track down Nwekpa and other suspected members of the syndicate.
The Force urged members of the public to remain vigilant when engaging with individuals claiming to represent government agencies online and to promptly report suspicious activities to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to tackling cyber-enabled crimes, protecting members of the public from fraud and maintaining integrity in public institutions.
