• Saturday, December 21, 2024
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JAMB CBT manager arrested after chatting up 15-year-old candidate

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A Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) CBT(computer-based test)  manager has been arrested for allegedly chatting up  a 15-year-old candidate using information accessed during her exam registration.

The incident came to light when the candidate’s mother, who had used her phone number to register her daughter, received inappropriate messages on her device shortly after the registration process. In a social media post, the mother accused JAMB of negligence and lack of data security, prompting an investigation.

According to the mother’s account, the CBT manager believed to have obtained the phone number from the registration form and initiated a text conversation under the mistaken assumption he was contacting the candidate directly. Despite being informed of the teenager’s age, the individual reportedly continued messaging and instructed the mother to conceal the exchange.

Following the online outcry, JAMB swiftly initiated an internal investigation and collaborated with law enforcement authorities. The accused staff member, along with an alleged accomplice, was apprehended within hours.

“JAMB takes data privacy and candidate safety very seriously,” a spokesperson for the exam board stated. “We are committed to working with the authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable. We reiterate that there is zero tolerance for any behavior that compromises the integrity of our processes or the well-being of our candidates.”

The incident has raised concerns about data security vulnerabilities within JAMB and potential exploitation of personal information. Public pressure is mounting for stricter protocols and enhanced oversight to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Charles Ogwo, Head, Education Desk at BusinessDay Media is a seasoned proactive journalist with over a decade of reportage experience.

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