Two Police Applicants Arrested for Certificate Forgery During Bauchi Recruitment Screening
Two individuals seeking to join the Nigeria Police Force have been arrested over allegations of certificate forgery during an ongoing recruitment screening exercise in Bauchi state. The arrests occurred at the Police Training School Bauchi, where candidates were being screened as part of a nationwide effort to recruit new police constables.
Recruitment Screening Uncovers Forged Certificates
According to a statement issued by the Bauchi state Police Command spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, on Friday, March 13, 2026, the screening exercise was conducted by a team led by A.Y. Dickson. The team oversaw the verification of documents for 403 applicants, comprising 354 General Duty candidates and 49 Specialists.
During the verification process, the panel discovered that two candidates were in possession of forged results issued by the National Examinations Council (NECO). The suspects, both identified as Yusuf Usman, were observed moving together throughout the screening exercise before their documents were flagged as suspicious.
Suspects Handed Over for Investigation
Following the discovery, the screening team directed that the suspects be handed over to the Divisional Police Officer of the ‘E’ Division for further investigation. The police command has cautioned applicants against engaging in fraudulent activities during recruitment processes, warning that violators will face consequences.
This screening exercise is part of the ongoing nationwide recruitment program aimed at enlisting 50,000 constables into the Nigeria Police Force. The Federal Government has announced that physical and credential screening will continue nationwide from March 9 to April 18, 2026, for all candidates who successfully completed the online registration phase.
Police Warn Against Recruitment Fraud
The Bauchi state Police Command emphasized the importance of integrity in the recruitment process, stating that any attempt to subvert the system through forgery or other fraudulent means will be met with strict legal action. The arrest serves as a deterrent to others who might consider similar misconduct.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by security agencies in ensuring the credibility of recruitment exercises, particularly in a context where certificate fraud remains a concern. The police have reiterated their commitment to thorough vetting to maintain the standards and professionalism of the force.
