The Nigerian Army has disowned a fake recruitment advertisement inviting applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission Course 50/2027, warning Nigerians against falling victim to fraudsters.
In a statement on Monday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said the advertisement circulating on social media and other online platforms did not originate from the Nigerian Army.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army has observed a fake advertisement circulating on social media and other online platforms, inviting applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027. The Nigerian Army categorically states that this advertisement is false, fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigerian Army.”
The Army urged members of the public to ignore the advert and warned prospective applicants against making payments to individuals or websites claiming to recruit on its behalf.
It stated, “The public is hereby warned to disregard the fake advertisement. Prospective applicants are advised not to apply through, patronise or make payments to any individual, group or website claiming to conduct recruitment on behalf of the Nigerian Army.”
The Army stressed that its recruitment and commissioning exercises are free, transparent and merit-based.
According to the statement, “The Nigerian Army wishes to emphasise that all recruitment and commissioning exercises are strictly free, transparent and merit-based. Official recruitment announcements are made only through national newspapers, the Nigerian Army’s verified social media platforms and other recognised official communication channels. No form is sold and no person or agent is authorised to facilitate recruitment or demand payment at any stage of the process.”
The Army warned those responsible for the fake advert to stop immediately, saying security agencies had been activated to identify and prosecute those involved.
“Security agencies have been activated to identify, arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in producing, circulating or using the fake advertisement to defraud innocent Nigerians. Anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” the statement added.
The Army urged the public to verify recruitment information only through its official channels and report suspicious recruitment activities to the nearest military formation or security agency.