Dare Babalola
Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have arrested a suspected recruitment fraudster in Taraba State while warning members of the public against falling victim to fake enlistment schemes allegedly being used to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, the military confirmed the development and described it as part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities across the state.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Felix Yadeh, was apprehended at Bantaje Village in Wukari Local Government Area by a local vigilance group before being handed over to soldiers stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Wukari.
According to military authorities, the arrest was part of ongoing operations aimed at curbing criminal activities in the state in line with directives from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shuibu, focusing on eliminating fraud, extortion, and other related offences.
Preliminary findings indicated that the suspect allegedly collected about ₦3.627 million from individuals under the false claim of securing recruitment placements into the Nigerian Army.
During questioning, he reportedly stated that he was instructed by his younger brother to collect money from victims, presenting it as payment for enlistment opportunities.
Items recovered from him include an Infinix smartphone and ₦3,050 in cash.
Military sources confirmed that the suspect remains in custody along with the recovered items, while investigations are ongoing to uncover possible accomplices and determine the full scope of the alleged fraud.
The Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, Brig. Gen. Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, praised both troops and local vigilantes for their swift response and cooperation, which led to the arrest.
He cautioned members of the public to disregard individuals or groups demanding payment in exchange for recruitment into the Nigerian Army, stressing that the process is entirely free, transparent, and based on merit.
The Army urged residents to report any suspected recruitment scam, impersonation, or extortion attempts to the nearest security formation for prompt action.
6 Brigade reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace, security, and protecting lives and property across Taraba State and surrounding areas.
