Police debunk fake statement on training of 50,000 new constables

The Nigeria Police Force has disclaimed a fake press statement circulating widely on social media, which claimed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had ordered the commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited police constables.

The Force, in a disclaimer issued on Friday, said the document was not issued or authorised by any of its organs, despite being packaged to bear the letterhead of the Nigeria Police Force and the name of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

The forged statement, which had been making the rounds on WhatsApp and other platforms, was titled, “IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu Directs Commencement Of Training For 50,000 Newly Recruited Police Constables.”

It claimed that the IG had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Training and Development to make arrangements for the training of the recruits in line with approved standards, with emphasis on discipline, professionalism, integrity, human rights and effective policing.

The fake release further claimed that successful candidates should begin checking the official police recruitment portal from Monday, September 14, 2026, for information on their allocated training institutions and dates of resumption.

It also purportedly quoted the IG as expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support in tackling insecurity and strengthening the country’s security architecture.

But debunking the document, the Force said, “The Nigeria Police Force disclaims the purported Press Release titled, ‘IGP OLATUNJI RILWAN DISU DIRECTS COMMENCEMENT OF TRAINING FOR 50,000 NEWLY RECRUITED POLICE CONSTABLES,’ currently in circulation and bearing the name and designation of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, anipr.”

It stated further, “The document is false and was neither issued nor authorised by the Nigeria Police Force.”

The Force cautioned members of the public, especially candidates seeking to join its ranks, against falling for the document, insisting that only its verified channels should be trusted.

It said, “Members of the public, particularly Police recruitment candidates, are advised to disregard its contents and rely only on information published through the official Police recruitment portal and verified NPF communication channels.”

The Force also revealed that it had commenced a manhunt for those behind the fabrication and distribution of the false statement, warning that they would face legal consequences once apprehended.

It said, “The Force is currently on the trail of the persons responsible for generating and circulating the false document and will take appropriate legal action against those found culpable.”

The disclaimer comes amid a spate of fake recruitment-related statements attributed to security agencies, which have continued to mislead unsuspecting job seekers and members of the public.