He Promised 300+ in JAMB. He Delivered Chains. ‘Special Centre’ Owner Arrested After Four Years of Alleged Student Trafficking

 

‘Special Centre’ Owner Arrested: Four Years of Alleged Student Trafficking for Examination Fraud and Ritual Practices. What This Means for University Education

Another one has fallen.

Following reports of teachers in Ondo State being arrested over allegations involving the harvesting of fingernails and blood from students, police have reportedly arrested another "special center" operator. The allegation is that, for more than four years, he trafficked SS3 students from different states, housed them in hostels three days before JAMB and WAEC examinations, and sold them the promise of a "guaranteed 300+ score."

How the Alleged Trafficking Operated

1. Recruitment

WhatsApp and Telegram groups were used to target desperate students and parents.

The pitch:
"No more stress. Pay ₦150,000, and we will handle everything."

2. Movement

Students were transported from their states to the centre days before the examination. Parents were allegedly told that phones were not allowed to ensure concentration.

3. Control

Upon arrival, phones were reportedly confiscated. Students were allegedly subjected to strange bathing rituals, midnight prayers, and requests for personal items for "connection" purposes.

4. Examination Day

Micro earpieces, pre-written answers, and leaked examination materials were allegedly provided. Students who became fearful were reportedly threatened with statements such as:

"If you talk, the charm will reverse."

5. Aftermath

Students were allegedly required to pay "thanksgiving money," annual renewal fees, or recruit three new students into the scheme. Many reportedly became trapped in cycles of fear and financial exploitation.

According to police reports, this was allegedly more than examination malpractice. Authorities are investigating claims that minors were moved across state lines for exploitation, abuse, and ritual-related purposes.

Five Devastating Implications for University Education

This is why CampusDialog continues to raise awareness about the issue. One fraudulent result can undermine four years of university education.

1. Admission Fraud Leads to a Dropout Crisis

A student may gain admission with a fraudulent JAMB score of 300+ but lack the academic foundation required for university studies.

In the first semester, the student struggles academically. By the second year, the result may be withdrawal, rustication, or repeated failures.

Universities lose resources, students lose valuable years, and only the operators of these centres profit.

2. Devaluation of Nigerian Degrees

When employers encounter graduates who cannot write professional CVs or defend the grades they earned, confidence in Nigerian qualifications declines.

The actions of a small minority who engage in examination malpractice can damage the credibility of the majority who achieved their results through genuine effort.

Ultimately, the value of our certificates suffers both locally and internationally.

3. A Growing Mental Health Crisis on Campuses

Students who become involved in ritual-based examination fraud often live with persistent fear:

• What if they demand more money or sacrifices?

• What if I am exposed?

• What if the threats are real?

Many students struggle with anxiety, depression, guilt, and fear long after the examination is over.

4. Normalization of Crime in Schools

When students learn that success comes through shortcuts, fraud, trafficking, or rituals, they may carry that mindset into higher education.

Practices such as cultism, bribery, certificate forgery, and other forms of misconduct often thrive where integrity has already been compromised.

Universities become increasingly difficult to manage when dishonesty is normalized.

5. Waste of National Resources

Government, parents, and institutions invest significant resources in tuition, accommodation, books, and educational support.

When a student lacks the foundational knowledge required to succeed, much of that investment may be wasted.

Nigeria cannot afford such educational leakages.

The Hard Truth Universities Are Facing Today

JAMB can admit you.

Only knowledge can keep you there.

A student who obtains a fraudulent score of 350 but lacks a reading culture may struggle with GST, MTH101, PHY101, and other foundational courses.

By contrast, a student who earns 180 or above through genuine preparation often develops the skills needed to learn, adapt, and graduate with dignity.

Many universities are now compelled to provide remedial support for students who arrive without the academic foundation expected at that level.

That is not the primary role of a university. It is one of the consequences of examination malpractice.

What Is the Way Forward? Three Levels of Action

1. For JAMB, WAEC, and Law Enforcement Agencies

Special centres should be treated as organized criminal enterprises, not merely examination-malpractice cases.

Authorities should:

• Track financial transactions.

• Arrest recruiters and operators.

• Shut down illegal hostels and examination centres.

• Prosecute all individuals involved in the exploitation of students.

• Publicize reporting channels such as NAPTIP's helpline: 0800-999-9999.

2. For Universities

a. Strengthen Academic Screening

New students should undergo diagnostic assessments in Mathematics and English.

Students who demonstrate serious deficiencies should receive mandatory foundation support classes.

This protects both the student and the academic integrity of the institution.

b. Strengthen Orientation Programmes

Orientation programmes should address examination malpractice, ritual myths, online scams, and the dangers of shortcuts.

Fear loses power when students are equipped with accurate information.

3. For Parents and Students

Before paying for a so-called special center, ask:

"Will this ₦150,000 buy four years of peace and success in university?"

The answer is usually no.

That same money can be invested in:

• JAMB preparation materials

• Tutorials

• Past questions

• Internet data for educational videos

• Academic mentoring

These investments build lasting skills rather than temporary results.

CampusDialog Bottom Line

A special-center operator who traffics students is not helping education he is exploiting it.

He takes students' money, innocence, confidence, and future, then delivers results that often collapse under the realities of university education.

University education is not merely four years of earning certificates.

It is four years of building a mind.

A mind cannot be trafficked.

It must be trained.

Students and Parents

Do you know anyone who attended a special center? What happened when they entered university?

Share your experience anonymously. Your story could prevent another JSS3 or SS3 student from becoming the next victim.

Ambrose Odiase, FIPMA, MANUPA, MAUA (UK)
Founding Editor/Publisher, CampusDialog