The police on Friday said 12 suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in various examination malpractices in the just concluded WASSCE. 

The suspects, who were not immediately named, were arrested in Kano, Rivers, Nasarawa and Bauchi.

Chief police spokesman Frank Mba said the arrests followed renewed partnership between the examination body and the police aimed at ensuring and promoting the integrity of examination processes.

“Investigations by Police revealed that the suspects used their privileged positions as invigilators, supervisors and school functionaries to conspire, perpetrate and encourage varying degrees of malpractices,” Mr. Mba said.

Last month, several reports alleged open distribution of examination questions and answers on social media platforms. 

The answers were sold to those interested for as low as ₦5,000 for critical subjects in arts and science.

The reports showed that cheaters have yet to desist from commercialising examination malpractice in Nigeria, despite years of law enforcement crackdown. 

Suspected perpetrators of online transmission of examination questions and answers were amongst those arrested by the police. It was not immediately clear when they would be arraigned.

Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu has pledged continuous support to  discourage examination malpractices, saying the police would continue to partner with WAEC and other institutions to ensure that perpetrators were brought to book.