Two men face prosecution after their arrest in Makurdi on suspicion of running a fake job recruitment scheme. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps nabbed them on April 30, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation.
Okpara Michael Abah, 42, and Ade John Ogbu, 37, allegedly duped job seekers during a fraudulent data capture exercise. They operated in Benue State's capital, targeting desperate applicants searching for employment.
According to SC EA Michael, the NSCDC's public relations officer, Abah allegedly collected ₦1,178,500 from multiple victims. He added that another ₦116,500 was extorted under the guise of purchasing uniforms and related materials.
Investigators recovered application forms, passport photographs, and a still camera from the suspects' possession. State Commandant Bitrus Alice Larai oversaw the parade of the arrested men.
Larai warned Nigerians to guard against such schemes. She noted that genuine recruitment follows proper channels through the Federal Ministry of Interior.
Job hunters must verify all recruitment claims using official government platforms, she stressed. Making payments or sharing personal information without verification exposes people to criminal syndicates.
Officials will transfer the suspects to prosecutors once investigations conclude. The NSCDC has committed to dismantling all fraudulent recruitment networks across the state.
