UTME registration: NSCDC arrests 2 in Ogun over alleged extortion

The Ogun Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two men for allegedly extorting candidates registering for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The state Commandant of NSCDC, Hammed Abodunrin, stated this at a press conference in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Abodunrin said that the suspects were arrested in Abeokuta on Wednesday following a tip-off from members of the public.

According to him, the suspects run an illegal Conputer-Based Test (CBT) centre and charge the sum of N5,000 for sale of forms and registration of candidates instead of the stipulated amount of N4, 700.

He explained that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, had at an interactive session with stakeholders at the NSCDC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday frowned at such extortion.

Abodunrin said that charging above the stipulated N4,700 for the 2020 UTME registration was illegal, noting that it was an act of fraud and corruption.

“If the Federal Government is trying to lessen the burden on candidates and parents, nobody has the right to increase it,” he said.

Abodunrin said if the development was not curbed, candidates would continue to be extorted and forced to pay whatever amount was dictated by such illegal agents.

The commandant, who said that the suspects would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations, noted that the arrest would serve as deterrent to others.

He urged candidates and parents to speak out and report such cases of extortion to NSCDC and other security agencies. (NAN)