Farm industry watchdog cautions job seekers about scam hiring gangs seeking bribes

n n

The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service has warned applicants in its ongoing recruitment exercise against engaging with unofficial social media groups and individuals claiming to represent the agency, insisting that its recruitment process is free and does not require any payment.

n

The advisory comes amid growing concerns over recruitment scams targeting job seekers across Nigeria, with fraudsters increasingly creating fake WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook groups to extort money from applicants by promising employment in government agencies.

n

Government agencies have repeatedly cautioned applicants against falling victim to recruitment scams, stressing that official recruitment exercises are conducted transparently through designated communication channels without demanding payments from prospective employees.

n

In a public advisory issued on Monday and signed by the Director of Human Resources, ACG Issaka Ahmed, for the Chairman of the Board, the agency said it had observed “the creation of several unofficial groups and social media platforms falsely claiming to represent the Service or provide recruitment updates.”

n

The agency urged applicants to rely only on its official communication channels for information about the recruitment exercise.

n

“The general public, especially applicants in the ongoing recruitment exercise, are strongly advised not to join or engage with any WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, or other online groups claiming to be affiliated with NAQS.

n

“Applicants should rely only on the official NAQS communication channels for authentic information, announcements, and updates regarding the recruitment exercise”, the advisory continued.

n

The service reminded applicants that its recruitment process remains free of charge and warned that no individual or organisation had been authorised to recruit or collect money on its behalf.

n

The agency also urged applicants to ignore rumours and fraudulent requests for payments or personal information.

n

“The NAQS recruitment exercise is completely FREE of charge. No payment is required at any stage of the recruitment process. NAQS has not authorised any individual, group, or third party to recruit, collect money, or guarantee employment on its behalf.

n

“Applicants are urged to disregard rumours, misleading information, and any requests for payment or personal details from unauthorised persons or platforms”, it added.

n

Warning fraudsters against impersonating the agency, NAQS vowed to prosecute anyone found exploiting applicants.

n

“Anyone found impersonating the Service or attempting to defraud applicants will be investigated, and if found wanting will face prosecution and the wrath of the law,” the advisory added.

n n