Applicants participating in the ongoing recruitment exercises of four federal security agencies have been warned against paying anyone for their mandatory drug screening, as the Federal Government has already covered the cost.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) announced that candidates seeking employment with the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would undergo the Drug Integrity Test without paying any fees.
The agency explained that the Ministry of Interior had made a consolidated payment to cover the screening of all new employees, removing the need for individual payments by applicants.
NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement, urging candidates to disregard anyone demanding money in connection with the exercise.
He warned applicants against making payments to agency officials, approved testing facilities or through unofficial channels.
Babafemi explained that candidates would instead be directed to an online Drug Integrity Test platform through links that would be made available on the recruitment portals of their respective agencies.
The platform will serve as the designated channel for applicants to register, provide their information and complete the necessary requirements before reporting for the screening.
The NDLEA said the arrangement was intended to prevent unnecessary difficulties and ensure that the exercise was properly coordinated across the four agencies.
It also commended the Ministry of Interior for funding the exercise and reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the recruitment screening without financial demands on applicants.
The agency urged candidates to follow only the official instructions provided through their respective recruitment portals and remain alert to possible attempts by individuals to extort money from them.
