By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

The Nigerian Army has dismissed as fraudulent a recruitment advertisement currently circulating on social media and other online platforms, warning Nigerians not to fall victim to scammers claiming to be conducting enlistment into the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the purported recruitment notice did not originate from the Nigerian Army and should be disregarded by members of the public.

According to her, the Army became aware of the fake advertisement being circulated online, inviting applications for the SSCC Course 50/2027, and immediately moved to alert the public to prevent unsuspecting Nigerians from being defrauded.

“The Nigerian Army has observed a fake advertisement circulating on social media and other online platforms, inviting applications for the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSCC) Course 50/2027. The Nigerian Army categorically states that this advertisement is false, fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigerian Army,” the statement said.

The Army advised prospective applicants not to apply through unofficial channels or make payments to individuals, groups, or websites claiming to recruit personnel on behalf of the military institution.

It reiterated that all recruitment and commissioning exercises conducted by the Nigerian Army are free, transparent, and strictly based on merit, stressing that no fees are charged at any stage of the recruitment process.

The statement further explained that official recruitment announcements are only published through national newspapers, the Nigerian Army’s verified social media platforms, and other recognised official communication channels. It added that no individual or agent has been authorised to facilitate recruitment or demand money from applicants.

The Army also warned those behind the fake recruitment exercise to cease their activities immediately, revealing that security agencies have been mobilised to track down, arrest, and prosecute all individuals involved in producing, circulating, or using the fraudulent advertisement to deceive members of the public. It urged Nigerians to verify all recruitment information through official Army channels and report suspicious activities to the nearest military formation or security agency.