Man arrested over N3.6m Army recruitment scam

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wukari, have taken into custody a suspected recruitment fraudster, Mr Felix Yadeh, 51, arrested by a local vigilante group in Bantaje village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Muhammed, said preliminary investigations […]

Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wukari, have taken into custody a suspected recruitment fraudster, Mr Felix Yadeh, 51, arrested by a local vigilante group in Bantaje village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Umar Muhammed, said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly collected N3,627,000 from unsuspecting members of the public under the false pretence of securing recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.
He said the suspect confessed during interrogation that his younger brother allegedly instructed him to collect the money from victims as recruitment fees for enlistment into the Army.
According to him, items recovered from the suspect included one Infinix Android phone and N3,050 cash.
Muhammed said the suspect and recovered exhibits remained in custody while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify possible accomplices.
He added that the Commander, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops and local vigilantes for their vigilance and prompt action that led to the arrest.
The brigade reiterated its commitment to sanitising the operational environment and warned the public against falling victim to fraudsters claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.
“The Nigerian Army recruitment process is free, transparent and strictly merit-based. Members of the public are advised to report suspicious persons or activities involving extortion, impersonation or recruitment scams to security agencies,” he said.