Troops from the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested a 51-year-old man, Felix Yadeh, in connection with a recruitment fraud scheme. The arrest occurred in Bantaje Village, Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, after members of a local vigilante group intercepted him. He was handed over to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari for custody. According to a statement by Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, Public Relations Officer of the 6 Brigade, Yadeh allegedly collected ₦3,627,000 from individuals seeking enlistment in the Nigerian Army.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted that his younger brother instructed him to gather the money as fees for army recruitment. The Nigerian Army confirmed that recruitment is free, transparent, and based on merit. No legitimate process involves payment of any kind. Items recovered from Yadeh include one Infinix Android phone and ₦3,050 in cash. He and the exhibits are now under military custody for further investigation.
Brigadier General Chukwuemeka Michael Akaliro, Commander of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke, praised the vigilante group and troops for their role in the arrest. He reaffirmed the brigade's commitment to maintaining security in Taraba State and its surroundings. The public is warned against engaging with anyone claiming to offer army recruitment for a fee. Suspicious activities should be reported immediately to security agencies.
Felix Yadeh allegedly collected millions for fake army recruitment slots while claiming his younger brother was the mastermind, raising questions about how long the scheme operated undetected. The victims paid large sums believing they were securing legitimate careers in the military. The Nigerian Army's assertion that recruitment is free contrasts sharply with the success fraudsters like Yadeh appear to have had in exploiting that process. This arrest underscores how vulnerability and lack of verified information can be weaponised against job-seeking Nigerians.
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