Federal Fire Service (FFS) has cautioned job seekers to beware of fraudulent recruitment schemes promising fake appointments into civil service roles.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement, Abdulganiyu Jaji, controller-general of FFS, noted that the service has never authorised third parties to handle its recruitment process.
Jaji stressed that all legitimate recruitments are processed strictly through official government channels, warning that anyone found using forged documents to obtain employment would face arrest and prosecution.
He revealed that the FFS recently identified five individuals who illicitly inserted their names into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) without proper appointments.
The FFS head 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 also noted that the service paused documentation processes to uncover and eliminate the use of fake letters and counterfeits during recruitment.
He expressed disappointment that despite repeated public warnings, some applicants still engage with fraudsters running fake websites and demanding payments for fraudulent recruitment forms.
The FFS boss said, “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.”
“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.”
He urged job seekers, especially the youth, to remain patient, assuring them that the government is actively working to create genuine employment opportunities.
