The Nigerian Army warned job seekers against fake recruitment adverts online, emphasizing that all military recruitment is free.
The Nigerian Army has issued an urgent public warning asking young job seekers across the country to beware of fake recruitment adverts circulating online.
The official warning came from military headquarters on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following the spread of fraudulent messages on social media platforms.
Army authorities revealed that criminal scammers created fake adverts inviting young Nigerians to apply for military recruitment exercises, including fake notices for the Short Service Combatant Commission Course. The military stated clearly that these online posts are completely fake and did not come from official army offices.
The main reason why the military leadership released this public notice is to protect innocent citizens from losing their hard earned money to internet fraudsters.
Scammers behind these fake publications often ask desperate job seekers to pay money for application forms, interview scratch cards, or special placement favors.
The army clarified that it never charges money at any stage of its recruitment process. Official military recruitment is strictly based on performance and personal merit, and all real recruitment announcements are shared only through major national newspapers and official verified social media pages.
To stop the bad actors behind the fake recruitment pages, military authorities have alerted security agencies to track down, arrest, and prosecute anyone involved in creating or sharing fake army adverts.
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Warning the public not to send money or personal details to fraudulent websites or individuals, the army spokesperson set the record straight regarding the fake notices.
Expressing firm disapproval of the fraudulent online adverts, Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Appolonia Anele stated that “the Nigerian Army has observed a fake advertisement circulating on social media and other online platforms,” emphasizing that “the Nigerian Army categorically states that this advertisement is false, fraudulent and did not emanate from the Nigerian Army”.
Reassuring job seekers that legitimate military recruitment costs nothing, Colonel Appolonia Anele added that “all recruitment and commissioning exercises are strictly free, transparent and merit based,” warning that “no form is sold and no person or agent is authorised to facilitate recruitment or demand payment at any stage of the process”. Security agencies are actively hunting the fraudsters to ensure they face the full weight of the law.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
