The Nigerian Army has issued a stern warning to candidates participating in the ongoing 86 Regular Recruits Intake, cautioning them against engaging in manipulation and fraudulent activities that could jeopardize the recruitment process. The alert comes in response to a circulating video on social media revealing the apprehension of certain fraudulent candidates attempting to manipulate the system and compromise the fair selection of indigenous candidates from Lagos State.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, emphasized the Army’s commitment to upholding a transparent and credible recruitment process aligned with its core values of integrity and fairness.
The video showcased one of the rigorous processes implemented to verify the authenticity of candidates’ claims regarding their state of origin. Nwachukwu highlighted that the process aims to ensure that only genuine indigenes of a particular state are recruited using the allocated slots for that state, preventing non-indigenes from taking advantage.
The State Representative, an integral member of the recruitment team, was granted unrestricted access to scrutinize candidates’ state of origin, validating the genuineness of their claims. Nwachukwu affirmed that the transparent nature of this process was evident in the video, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the recruitment system.
The Director of Army Public Relations condemned the fraudulent actions of candidates attempting to secure positions designated for Lagos State indigenes through deceit. He assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the extent of the fraudulent activities and identify any individuals or syndicates involved.
Emphasizing the Army’s dedication to recruiting the most qualified and deserving candidates, Nwachukwu pledged continued collaboration with relevant authorities to ensure accountability for those responsible for misconduct. Culprits involved in fraudulent acts will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency, he added.
Reiterating the Army’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice, Nwachukwu urged prospective candidates to adhere to principles of honesty and integrity throughout the recruitment process. Any attempts to manipulate the process, he warned, would face the full force of the law.
