NFSS Disclaims N200k Recruitment Fee as Rogue Activity

The Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) has issued a disclaimer regarding claims of a N200,000 recruitment fee, identifying it as a rogue activity. Joseph Obadiah, Assistant Command General of the NFSS, clarified that the ongoing recruitment drive is not part of a formal government employment scheme but rather a voluntary initiative.

Investigations revealed that applicants were being pressured to pay various sums, including N30,000 for registration and additional payments for uniforms and other costs, with some applicants reporting payments of up to N140,000. Obadiah acknowledged the challenges of unauthorized fee collection and emphasized that the NFSS does not charge recruitment fees beyond administrative costs.

He noted that the organization has been operating for years and is transitioning to a more formal structure following legislative reforms expected in 2024. The NFSS aims to build manpower to assist in security operations but insists that its recruitment process is not a government-paid initiative.