Recruitment: Commission, Police Probe Centres Extorting Applicants

The Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have commenced an investigation into allegations that cybercafés and agents are charging applicants approximately ₦15,000 for registration for the ongoing police constable recruitment.

The PSC urged Nigerians applying to join the NPF not to pay any money because the registration is free.

The commission, in a statement issued yesterday by its spokesperson, Torty Njoku Kalu, stated that the recruitment process is entirely free, following reports of cybercafés and middlemen extorting applicants across the country.

In a statement, the commission said some agents falsely claim that part of the money collected is remitted to the PSC and other government bodies.

The PSC described the practice as fraudulent and warned that those involved would face legal consequences.

It warned that anyone found extorting applicants would “face the full wrath of the law.”

The applicants were urged to report any demand for payment to the nearest police station or directly to the commission. Complaints can also be sent via 07054992071 (SMS or WhatsApp only), according to the PSC.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer, who is not authorised to speak to the press, told LEADERSHIP that a team had been set up to visit different centres to identify those responsible for such extortion.

The officer said, “We have received the report and have set up a team to investigate and arrest anyone caught in the illegal process. The registration is free and it is a crime to collect or extort applicants in the name of registration.”