The Nigerian Army on Monday disowned a fake advertisement circulating on social media and other online platforms, inviting applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the spokesperson of the Service, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the statement, “the Nigerian Army categorically states that this advertisement is false, fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigerian Army.”
The statement warned members of the public to disregard the fake advertisement and urged prospective applicants not to apply through, patronise or make payments to any individual, group or website claiming to conduct recruitment on behalf of the Service.
It emphasised that all recruitment and commissioning exercises were strictly free, transparent and merit-based, and that official recruitment announcements were made only through national newspapers, the Nigerian Army’s verified social media platforms and other recognised official communication channels.
It declared that “no form is sold and no person or agent is authorised to facilitate recruitment or demand payment at any stage of the process”.
It advised those behind the criminal act to desist immediately, adding that security agencies had been activated to identify, arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in producing, circulating or using the fake advertisement to defraud innocent Nigerians.
The statement warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The statement reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army remained committed to maintaining the integrity of its recruitment process and urged members of the public to verify all recruitment information through official Nigerian Army channels only.
Suspicious recruitment activities should be reported immediately to the nearest military formation or security agency.