The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral document claiming that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had ordered the immediate commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited police constables.
In a statement released on Friday, the Force described the document as fake, stressing that it was neither issued nor authorized by the Nigeria Police Force or the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.
According to the police, the fraudulent notice falsely directed successful applicants to begin checking the police recruitment portal from Monday, September 14, for details of their training institutions and resumption dates.
The Force said the claim was intended to mislead unsuspecting members of the public and applicants who are awaiting official communication on the 2026 recruitment exercise.
Police authorities noted that no date has yet been fixed for the training of successful candidates, and that all updates regarding recruitment will be made public through verified channels only.
The statement urged applicants and their families to disregard the fake circular and avoid falling victim to fraudsters who may use the false information to demand money or personal details.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to advise recruitment candidates and members of the public to rely only on information from verified police channels,” the Force stated.
It added that the official police website, social media handles, and announcements through traditional media remain the only legitimate sources for recruitment updates.
The Force further disclosed that it has commenced a manhunt for the individuals responsible for producing and circulating the fake document.
Authorities said those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the Cybercrimes Act and other relevant laws, as part of efforts to protect the integrity of the recruitment process and maintain public trust.
The Police Service Commission, PSC, also distanced itself from the fake notice, saying it has not concluded the final selection and deployment of successful constables. The Commission advised applicants to remain patient and await official communication jointly signed by the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force.
Security analysts have warned that fake recruitment alerts often spike during major hiring exercises, with scammers targeting desperate job seekers. They urged the public to verify any recruitment information through the police Public Relations Officer at the state command level before making any payment or traveling for training.
