By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Army has arrested a fraudster who had defrauded people of over N3 million for recruitment into the military.
The Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army revealed that vigilant members of a local vigilante group at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area, arrested a recruitment fraudster, Felix Yadeh, 51-year-old man, who was handed over to troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army deployed at Forward Operating Base, FOB, Wukari.
The Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, in a statement indicated Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army 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.
Muhammad stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly obtained the sum of Three Million, Six Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand Naira, ₦3,627,000, from unsuspecting members of the public under the false pretense of securing recruitment slots into the Nigerian Army.
According to the Army Director, 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 ₦3,050 in cash.
He said that 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 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 were, therefore, encouraged to promptly report suspicious individuals or activities involving extortion, impersonation, or recruitment scams to security agencies.
Headquarters 6 Brigade Nigerian Army assured it remains resolute in its mandate to ensure peace, security, and the protection of lives and property across Taraba State and its environs.
