By Frontline Reporters

The Nigeria Police Force has disowned a fake press statement circulating widely on social media, which purportedly announced the commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited police constables.

The forged statement, attributed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, claimed that he had directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Training and Development to commence arrangements for the training of the recruits in line with approved standards.

It further alleged that the training would focus on discipline, professionalism, integrity, respect for human rights and effective policing, while directing successful candidates to begin checking the official police recruitment portal from Monday, September 14, 2026, for details of their training institutions and resumption dates.

However, in a disclaimer issued on Friday, the Force described the statement as completely false, stressing that it was neither issued nor authorised by the Nigeria Police Force. The fake document was reportedly designed to appear authentic, using the NPF letterhead and the name and designation of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

“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,” the Force said.

The police warned members of the public, particularly recruitment candidates, not to rely on the fabricated announcement or information circulated through unofficial channels. It urged candidates to obtain recruitment updates exclusively from the official police recruitment portal and verified Nigeria Police Force communication platforms.

The Force also disclosed that it had launched a manhunt for the individuals responsible for producing and circulating the fake document, warning that anyone found culpable would face appropriate legal action.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the circulation of fraudulent recruitment announcements attributed to security agencies, a trend that has continued to expose unsuspecting job seekers to misinformation and possible fraud.