Fire service warns job seekers against fake recruitment schemes

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has cautioned job seekers against falling for fake recruitment schemes.

The warning follows reports of fake appointment letters claiming civil service jobs, with individuals fraudulently securing positions without official invitations.

A statement by Abdulganiyu Jaji, controller-general of the FFS, said that the service has never authorised third parties to handle its recruitment process.

Jaji emphasised recruitment via official government channels, warning that anyone caught with forged documents to gain employment will face immediate arrest and prosecution.

The FFS boss added that such actions harm the reputation of the service and impose financial and emotional burdens on victims.

“I must tell you, the Federal Fire Service, through its vigilant oversight, uncovered five names of job seekers who had managed to insert themselves into the IPPIS list despite lacking any genuine appointment or invitation letters,” he said.

“On behalf of the Board, I challenge anyone who possesses a valid appointment letter and claims to have been unfairly denied the opportunity to come forward and present it.

“We were extremely thorough throughout the entire recruitment process. In fact, we even invited those who had illicitly made it onto the IPPIS platform, and they admitted to engaging in underground dealings.

“Every possible loophole was sealed—we meticulously cross-checked the original master list against both the final documented list and the IPPIS entries.”

Jaji recounted how the FFS uncovered fake letters, paused documentation, and exposed fraudsters who printed more counterfeits, revealing themselves.

He expressed dismay that despite repeated warnings, some candidates still engage with fraudsters creating fake websites and extorting money for bogus recruitment forms.

“As a matter of fact, several fake invitation letters, SMS messages, and emails were intercepted. Shockingly, even after the new Secretary of the Board assumed office, some individuals still showed up with forged letters falsely bearing the name of the former Secretary,” he said.

“It is truly disheartening that job seekers who willingly engage with individuals who call, send suspicious links via text messages, and even request payments through provided account details, later turn around to petition the Service when things go wrong.”

Jaji advised job seekers, especially the youth, should remain patient, adding that government is “actively working to create meaningful opportunities to engage them”.