NSCDC arrest 560 suspects over employment racketeering

Recently, job seekers patronized cyber cafes in their numbers to fill online application for recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC. In the process, some of them  reportedly paid an unspecified  amount into designated bank accounts while others made  cash payments to some persons acclaimed  to be consultants to the Corps.

But indications are that the online registration done on the following websites; www.nscdc.wapka.mobi; www.federaljob.com; www. ministryofinteriorrecruitment.com and www.nairaland.com, was a  mere device to extort money from prospective job seekers.

*Job seekers

So far, the Corps said it had arrested a total of 560 suspects in connection with the nefarious act. Among the arrested persons was a separate syndicate of three members who masqueraded themselves as the Commandant-General’s aides.

Spokesman for the Corps, Okeh Emmanuel explained that the arrest was made following disturbing reports on employment racketeering. “ Worried by this report, the Anti-graft section of the Corps intensified  efforts in unveiling those behind the shady business.

It is on this basis that the Corps decided to work hand-in-hand with the EFCC and ICPC to clamp down on fraudsters who are internet scammers and impersonators defrauding applicants of their hard earned money.

The Corps’ dragnet in tracking down fraudsters using her name to defraud applicants  yielded positive result as luck ran out on a three-man syndicate who impersonated the Commandant-General’s aides claiming to be staff of the Corps.

The gang comprises one Mr. Wilfred Ahatuamen who is the principal suspect and claimed to be an aide to the Commandant-General with one Miss Grace Benedict, his girlfriend who also claimed to be the Commandant-General’s Secretary, alongside Ikechukwu John who is one of the accomplices.

The said group collected the sum of N280,000.00 from one  Mr. Bojor Bobori under false pretense that they were going to offer him job in the Corps and  that he is to pay the balance of N20,000.00 when the appointment letter is issued to him”

Okeh stated further that “ the said persons have been interrogated and will be handed over to the EFCC for further interrogation and prosecution in order to demonstrate transparency and sincerity to those with contrary views, misconceptions and misguided opinions, who have at one time or the other written against the Corps’ credibility with a view to denting her image, that the Corps’ integrity is intact and thus it cannot be traded for any paltry sum in the name of employment.

“Also, the Corps had earlier arrested over 560 suspects out of which 135 suspects have been successfully prosecuted. It is worthy of note that the handing over of the suspects to sister agencies such as EFCC and ICPC is to assure Nigerians of the Corps’ incorruptible stance and to prove that if other agencies can assist in prosecuting them, it will prove the Corps’ sincerity in handling the issue of employment scam within the system.”