By Harriet Tornguvan
The Headquarters 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has warned members of the public against falling victim to recruitment fraud following the arrest of a suspected scammer accused of collecting millions of naira from unsuspecting job seekers in Taraba State.
The warning came as troops of the 6 Brigade, deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari, took custody of a 51-year-old suspect, Mr. Felix Yadeh, who was apprehended by members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area.
According to a statement issued by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, the arrest forms part of the Brigade’s sustained efforts to combat criminality and protect residents across Taraba State in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuibu, aimed at eliminating extortion, fraud and other criminal activities nationwide.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained a total of ₦3,627,000 from several victims under the false pretext of securing recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.
The Army said the suspect reportedly confessed during interrogation that he was allegedly directed by his younger brother to collect money from victims as recruitment fees for enlistment into the service.
Items recovered from the suspect include an Infinix Android mobile phone and ₦3,050 in cash.
Military authorities disclosed that the suspect and recovered exhibits remain in custody while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the alleged recruitment scam and identify possible accomplices.
Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, commended both the troops and members of the local vigilante group for their vigilance and swift action that led to the arrest.
Akaliro reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sanitising the operational environment and cautioned members of the public against individuals claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.
He stressed that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is free, transparent and strictly merit-based, urging citizens to report suspicious activities involving extortion, impersonation or recruitment scams to relevant security agencies.
The 6 Brigade Headquarters further reiterated its resolve to sustain operations aimed at ensuring peace, security and the protection of lives and property across Taraba State and surrounding communities.
