Nigerian Army warns public against recruitment fraud as troops arrest fraudster in Taraba

The Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army has warned the public against recruitment fraud, emphasizing that recruitment into the army is completely free, transparent, and merit-based. 

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Lieutenant Umar Muhammed, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, gave the warning in a statement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 following the arrest of a recruitment fraudster in Bantaje village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The suspect, Felix Yadeh, allegedly defrauded several civilians under the guise of securing enlistment into the Nigerian Army.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended by a local vigilante group at about on May 22 and subsequently handed over to troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari for further investigation.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to collecting N3,607,000 from six civilians, claiming the funds were meant to facilitate their recruitment into the Nigerian Army. 

“The Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army has recorded another operational success in its sustained 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,” the statement read.

“Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari took custody of a suspected recruitment fraudster, Mr Felix Yadeh, a 51-year-old man arrested by vigilant members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the sum of Three Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand Naira (N3,627,000) from unsuspecting members of the public under the false pretense of securing recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.  

“During interrogation, the suspect reportedly 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 the suspect include one Infinix Android mobile phone and the sum of Three Thousand and Fifty Naira (N3,050) in cash.

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

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

“He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to sanitizing the operational environment and warned members of the public against falling victim to fraudsters claiming to facilitate recruitment into the Nigerian Army in exchange for money.

“The Brigade further emphasized that recruitment into the Nigerian Army is completely free, transparent, and merit-based. Members of the public are therefore encouraged to promptly report suspicious individuals or activities involving extortion, impersonation, or recruitment scams to security agencies.

“Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army remains resolute in its  mandate to ensure peace, security, and the protection of lives and property across Taraba State and its environs.”