Fake Army Recruiter Busted After Collecting Millions From Job Seekers

Troops of the Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected recruitment fraudster accused of collecting millions of naira from unsuspecting Nigerians with promises of securing employment slots into the Nigerian Army.

The suspect, identified as Felix Yadeh, 51, was apprehended at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State after vigilant members of a local vigilante group intercepted him and handed him over to troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base, Wukari.

According to the Army, the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to “combat criminal activities and safeguard innocent citizens across Taraba State,” in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuibu, aimed at “eliminating criminality, extortion and fraudulent activities nationwide.”

Military authorities disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly collected the sum of ₦3,627,000 from several victims under the guise of helping them secure recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.

The Army said the suspect, during interrogation, “confessed that his younger brother allegedly directed him to collect the money from victims as purported recruitment fees for enlistment into the Nigerian Army.”
Items recovered from him included “one Infinix Android mobile phone and the sum of ₦3,050 cash.”

The military authorities added that the suspect and exhibits “remain in custody for further investigation aimed at establishing the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities and identifying other possible accomplices.”

Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended the troops and local vigilante members for their “vigilance, professionalism and timely action” which led to the arrest.

Akaliro reiterated the Brigade’s resolve to rid the state of criminal elements and warned Nigerians against falling prey to fraudsters posing as military recruitment agents.

“The Brigade wishes to warn members of the public against falling victim to fraudsters claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money,” he said.

He stressed that “recruitment into the Nigerian Army is completely free, transparent and merit-based,” urging citizens to promptly report suspicious individuals involved in extortion, impersonation or recruitment scams to security agencies.

The Brigade maintained that it remained “resolute in its mandate to ensure peace, security, and the protection of lives and property across Taraba State and its environs.”