The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a fake statement circulating on social media claiming that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had ordered the commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited constables.
The Force, in a disclaimer issued on Friday, said the document was neither issued nor authorised by any of its organs, despite being designed with the Nigeria Police Force letterhead and the name of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
The forged statement, which circulated widely on WhatsApp and other digital platforms, was titled, “IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu Directs Commencement Of Training For 50,000 Newly Recruited Police Constables.”
It claimed that Disu had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Training and Development to commence arrangements for the training of the recruits in line with approved standards.
The purported statement said the training would focus on discipline, professionalism, integrity, human rights and effective policing.
It further claimed that successful candidates should begin checking the official police recruitment portal from Monday, September 14, 2026, for details of their allocated training institutions and resumption dates.
The fake document also purportedly quoted the Inspector-General as thanking President Bola Tinubu for his support in tackling insecurity and strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
However, the Force said the entire document was fabricated.
“The Nigeria Police Force disclaims the purported Press Release titled, ‘IGP OLATUNJI RILWAN DISU DIRECTS COMMENCEMENT OF TRAINING FOR 50,000 NEWLY RECRUITED POLICE CONSTABLES,’ currently in circulation and bearing the name and designation of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr,” the police said.
The Force stated further, “The document is false and was neither issued nor authorised by the Nigeria Police Force.”
Police warn recruitment candidates
The police cautioned members of the public, particularly applicants seeking recruitment into the Force, against relying on the fake statement.
It urged recruitment candidates to obtain information only from the official police recruitment portal and verified Nigeria Police Force communication channels.
“Members of the public, particularly Police recruitment candidates, are advised to disregard its contents and rely only on information published through the official Police recruitment portal and verified NPF communication channels,” the Force said.
The Force also disclosed that it had launched a manhunt for those responsible for creating and circulating the document.
It said those found culpable would face legal action.
“The Force is currently on the trail of the persons responsible for generating and circulating the false document and will take appropriate legal action against those found culpable,” it stated.
The development comes amid the circulation of fraudulent recruitment messages and statements allegedly linked to government and security agencies, with authorities repeatedly warning members of the public against relying on unverified information.