Nigerian Army Exposes Fake Generals!

The Nigerian Army Headquarters, on Monday alerted the public about the existence of a social media account through which prospective applicants could be duped. The notification was posted on the Army's twitter handle and it read "The Nigerian Army wishes to notify the public of the activities of fraudsters using this Facebook account link https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005649227075 and the following phone numbers: 08147981207, 08147981207, members of the general public and internet users (surfers) should beware of these fraudsters portraying themselves as Army Generals. Cyber Crime is an offense. Be warned".


A visit to the link in question revealed that the Facebook account was opened in the name of General Arinze Ebenebe. The account has a message bordering on recruitment into the army which was posted repeatedly. The message reads "Nigerian Army Recruitment for the 72RRI Slot And Help Available on 08033521297 So Many Nigerian youths have been applying for the Nigerian Army and have been turned down in the past year. Our mission is to help many of these youths into the Nigeria Armed Forces. The 72RRI Recruitment started on Monday 8 September and will end by Saturday 18 October 2014. To secure a Slot, Add me up or contact the Recruitment Unit on 08033521297".

When The Anchor's reporter called 08033521297 which was listed as the Help Line of the recruitment unit, obtained from the Facebook account, the male voice that answered claimed to be General Arinze. The line was however cut off when the reporter asked about the declaration by the army that he is masquerading as a fake General. Efforts to reach the "General Arinze" have proved futile since then as he refused to answer calls to his line.
A visit to the Army's recruitment portal revealed that contrary to the notification on the Facebook page, the recruitment exercise actually winds up on Monday, October 27, 2014.
Meanwhile, the real Gen Arinze, the Commandant of the Warrant Officers' Academy, Jaji, Kaduna State, who is being impersonated could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

Photo credit: Bella Naija