Police dismiss viral September 18 training notice for recruits

Nigeria's police force has officially denied claims that it issued a directive for new recruits to begin training on September 18, 2026, after a fabricated notice circulated widely on social media. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed on Wednesday that the document, which appeared to originate from an official source, was not authorized and should be ignored by all prospective applicants. According to the NPF, the disputed notice, dated September 1, 2026, falsely instructed individuals who had passed the recruitment process to report for training on September 18, 2026. It included specific instructions about items to bring, such as white canvas shoes and bedding, and referenced training locations at various state headquarters. Images of the document shared online were marked with the word “FAKE” by the NPF to indicate its fraudulent nature. The NPF emphasized that all potential trainees must obtain information exclusively through the official recruitment portals and communication channels managed by the Police Service Commission (PSC). The Force warned against spreading unverified content, stressing that such misinformation could confuse applicants and undermine the recruitment process. The incident occurs during a major expansion of the NPF, initiated under President Bola Tinubu’s directive in late 2025 aimed at improving security and increasing the number of officers deployed nationwide. As part of this initiative, the PSC and NPF launched a campaign to recruit 50,000 new Police Constables. The recruitment process began in December 2025 when the PSC opened applications for interested candidates. In July 2026, the commission published the names of successful applicants, marking a critical stage in the selection process. On August 6, 2026, the PSC formally transferred the selected candidates to the NPF for training at designated institutions. Despite the progress made so far, the circulation of the fake notice highlights vulnerabilities in the system and raises concerns about the potential for fraud or misinformation to disrupt the recruitment and training schedule. The NPF reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and accuracy in all communications related to the recruitment drive. The PSC and NPF have been working closely to manage the logistics of training nearly 50,000 new officers, a task requiring extensive planning and coordination. Training centers across the country have been identified and prepared to accommodate the influx of recruits. However, the recent incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance to prevent the spread of false information that could derail the process. Authorities have yet to identify the source of the fabricated notice, though investigations are underway to determine how the document was created and disseminated. The NPF has called on the public to remain cautious and to verify all information before acting on it. This includes checking the authenticity of documents and confirming details directly with the PSC or NPF through their official channels. As the training phase approaches, officials are expected to provide further updates on schedules and procedures. The NPF has assured the public that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure the smooth transition of new recruits into active service. Until then, the focus remains on verifying information and preventing disruptions caused by unconfirmed reports.