CITIZENS COMPASS —The Nigerian Army on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, explained the efforts it put in to ensure that some fraudulent candidates who claimed Lagos State as their state of origin were exposed.
This is just as Oshodi – Isolo Local Government had ordered investigation into the matter.
The Nigerian Army in a statement signed by Onyema Nwachukwu, Major General
Director Army Public Relations, said
“The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a circulating video on social media depicting the arrest of some fraudulent candidates of the ongoing 86 Regular Recruits Intake, who were caught attempting to short-change indigenous candidates of Lagos State through dubious means.
“The NA wishes to state that the arrest of the fraudulent candidates was a result of the commitment of the NA in upholding a transparent and credible recruitment process in line with its core values of integrity and fairness
“The video is a pointer to one of the processes to which the candidates were subjected, in order to ensure only true indigenes of a particular State are recruited, using the slots of that state and not non- indigenes.
“The video in itself therefore, clearly shows that the process is transparent, as the State Representative, who is a prominent member of the recruitment team has been part and parcel of the process and was given unhindered access to do her job by scrutinizing the candidates’ State of origin, to ascertain the genuineness of their indigeneship claims.
“The duty of the State Representative is to identify non-indigenes amongst candidates applying for recruitment, and this is applicable in other states of the Federation.
“We wish to inform the general public that the fraudulent act perpetrated by the three candidates who attempted to secure vacancies designated for candidates with Lagos State indigeneship is a serious breach of our recruitment process and will not be condoned.
“We want to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the extent of these fraudulent activities and to identify any individual(s) or unscrupulous syndicate(s) involved. We are dedicated to ensuring that only the most qualified and deserving candidates are selected to serve in the NA.
“The NA will continue to work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible for this misconduct are held accountable. The culprits involved will be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency. The NA is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served in this matter.
“Consequently, we urge all prospective candidates to adhere to the principles of honesty and integrity throughout the recruitment process, as any attempt to manipulate the recruitment process will be met with the full force of the law.
“The NA remains resolute in its mission to recruit the best and most deserving individuals to serve our nation. We appreciate the support and cooperation of the public, as we work to maintain the integrity of our recruitment process.”
Meanwhile, Oshodi – Isolo Local Government has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.
In a statement issued by the media office of the Council, it said that perpetrators would face the wrath of the law.
It was titled, “Fake letter of indigeneship: Oshodi-Isolo Council Chairman, Oloyede orders thorough investigation, promises all those involved will face the full wrath of the law, “
It reads, “Following a trending video online where some non-Oshodi indigenes were issued letters of indigeneship, the executive chairman of Oshodi-Isolo local government, Otunba Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede has ordered thorough investigation into the disturbing video.
“Oloyede while ordering thorough investigation into the matter vowed that all elements or persons behind the criminal act will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The council boss in a statement by his media office on Wednesday condemned in its entirety the issuance of letters of indigenes to non indigenes.
“Recall that in the early hours of Wednesday, there emerged a video of persons who are meant to be recruited into the Nigerian Army were caught with fake indigeneship letter emanating from some local governments in Lagos. According to the persons in the video, the certificates were obtained from an unnamed cyber cafe in Lagos state.
The council chairman fumed at such criminal act saying no stone will be left unturn
The forged document
ed to unravel the elements behind the issuance.
“I received the report of the unfortunate trending video, where a letter of indigeneship was purportedly issued to some non indigenes, which has placed the local government in public glare. As the Executive Chairman, I have ordered that a thorough investigation be carried out and that all those involved be handed to security agencies for prosecution.”
“Let me use this opportunity to inform our people that we shall not in any way sweep this unfortunate matter under the carpet, as we want to unearth those behind this to serve as a deterrent to others who will want to drag the noble name of our council in disrepute. We will do the needful, we will not let any stone unturned.”
