Odita Sunday 
Army Warns Nigerians Against Recruitment Scam After Arrest Of Suspected Fraudster In Taraba
By Odita Sunday
Amid growing security concerns and rising cases of fraud exploiting desperate job seekers across the country, the Nigerian Army has warned members of the public against falling victim to fake recruitment syndicates promising enlistment slots in exchange for money.
The warning came as troops of Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army apprehended a suspected recruitment fraudster accused of collecting millions of naira from unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of facilitating enlistment into the Nigerian Army.
The suspect, identified as Mr Felix Yadeh, 51, was taken into custody by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari after he was arrested by members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
According to the Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by the Brigade to combat criminality, extortion and fraudulent activities in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuibu.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the sum of Three Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand Naira (₦3,627,000) from unsuspecting members of the public under the false pretense of securing recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.
The Army disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed that his younger brother directed him to collect the money from victims as purported recruitment fees for enlistment into the Nigerian Army.
Items recovered from the suspect included one Infinix Android mobile phone and the sum of Three Thousand and Fifty Naira (₦3,050) in cash.
Military authorities said the suspect and recovered exhibits remain in custody while further investigations continue to determine the full scope of the alleged fraud and identify possible accomplices linked to the scheme.
Commander 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops and members of the local vigilante group for what he described as their vigilance, professionalism and swift response that led to the arrest.
Akaliro reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to sanitising the operational environment and curbing all forms of criminal activities within Taraba State and its environs.
He also cautioned Nigerians against dealing with individuals claiming they could secure recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.
The Brigade stressed that recruitment into the Nigerian Army remains free, transparent and strictly merit-based, urging members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons involved in extortion, impersonation or recruitment scams to security agencies.
The Army further reaffirmed its resolve to sustain operations aimed at ensuring peace, security and protection of lives and property across the state.
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