The Federal Government has initiated a coordinated crackdown on fraud syndicates attempting to deceive job seekers applying for recruitment into paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdulmalik Jibrin, Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).

According to the statement, the syndicates are fraudulently claiming to offer job placements in exchange for money, preying on desperate applicants seeking entry into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

Jibrin revealed that the fraudsters have even developed fake recruitment websites that closely resemble the official portal in order to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

“The Board reiterates that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge at all stages,” the statement read. “The only valid application portal remains: https://recruitment.cdcfib.gov.ng.”

He added that security agencies have been mobilised to track down and apprehend members of the syndicates behind the scam, with the goal of bringing them to justice.

The CDCFIB urged applicants to exercise caution and remain vigilant against fraud. It also warned that no individual or third party has been authorised to collect money or serve as an intermediary in the recruitment process.

“All prospective candidates are strongly advised to rely solely on the Board’s official portal and avoid being misled by unofficial sources,” the statement concluded.

The ongoing recruitment covers four key paramilitary agencies: the NSCDC, NIS, NCoS, and FFS.