By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA—The Nigerian Navy has dismissed reports in social media that it was asking prospective candidates to pay N40,000 for placement in 2016 recruitment.

The Navy, which asked parents, guardians and candidates to be circumspect of the directive to pay the purported amount, blamed a syndicate using the name of the Navy for the fraud.

Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, who gave the clarification in a statement yesterday, said: “The reports available to the Service suggest that the criminal elements are operating in various locations across the country.

“In view of the above, parents, guardians and candidates have sought confirmation from the Nigerian Navy on this disturbing criminal extortion by the syndicate.

“Therefore, after a thorough investigation, the Nigerian Navy is requesting parents, guardians, candidates and the general public to avoid being defrauded, as nobody has been mandated, directed or authorised to collect money from any candidate in the course of the 2016 recruitment.

“The Nigerian Navy, hereby, reiterates that, as directed by the Federal Government, participation in the recruitment remains free.”