Nigeria Police: IGP Olatunji Disu 50,000 Constables Training Is False

• A false notice circulated on social media, claiming IGP Olatunji Disu ordered immediate training for 50,000 new police constables.
• The Nigeria Police Force has officially disowned this announcement, confirming it is unauthorized and untrue.
• The Police Service Commission previously opened applications for 50,000 constables between December 2025 and February 2026, receiving over 600,000 applications.
• IGP Disu had stated in August that the recruitment was in its final pre-training phase, with preparations for a new curriculum ongoing.
• Authorities are actively searching for those responsible for disseminating the fake press release, warning applicants to rely solely on official police communication channels.

False recruitment notices like these can severely mislead applicants about the legitimate process and potentially expose them to various forms of fraud.

Recent social media posts have falsely claimed that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu issued an immediate directive for the commencement of training for 50,000 newly recruited police constables. These misleading announcements, which began circulating approximately a month after the IGP's last official update on the recruitment process, instructed candidates to check the police recruitment portal starting September 14, 2026, for details regarding their training institutions and resumption dates.

The Nigeria Police Force has unequivocally dismissed these claims, stating that the purported announcement is entirely false and was neither issued nor authorized by the police leadership. This incident marks a recurring issue, as it is not the first instance of a fabricated training notice related to the ongoing recruitment exercise; an earlier false notice directing recruits to report for training on September 18, 2026, was also disowned by the authorities.

The official recruitment process for 50,000 constables is overseen by the Police Service Commission (PSC), the body responsible for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force. The application portal for these positions initially opened in December 2025 and subsequently closed in February 2026, during which period a substantial 616,873 applications were received.

In August, IGP Olatunji Disu provided an official update, confirming that the recruitment exercise had progressed to its final pre-training stage. At that time, preparations were actively underway for the training phase, which was slated to incorporate a new curriculum. The false social media directive for immediate training directly contradicts this established timeline and the IGP's prior official statement, creating confusion among applicants.

In response to the proliferation of the fake training order, the Nigeria Police Force has strongly advised all prospective candidates to rely exclusively on the official recruitment portal and other verified communication channels for accurate Nigeria police recruitment updates. This directive aims to prevent applicants from being misled by unauthorized information.

Authorities are actively investigating the origins of these fabricated press releases and are searching for the individuals responsible for their dissemination. The police emphasize that such false notices not only misinform applicants about the legitimate process but also carry the significant risk of exposing them to various forms of fraud, including financial scams or identity theft.

The circulation of a fake training order for 50,000 constables underscores a critical challenge in public communication, particularly concerning high-stakes processes like national police recruitment. For legal and compliance professionals, this incident highlights the imperative of advising clients to strictly adhere to official Nigeria Police Force official announcements. Relying on unverified sources can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions for individuals.

False recruitment notices like these can severely mislead applicants about the legitimate process and potentially expose them to various forms of fraud. The integrity of the Police Service Commission recruitment process is undermined by such scams, necessitating vigilance from both the authorities and the public. Ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly aspiring constables, access information only through official channels is paramount to safeguarding their interests and maintaining public trust in the recruitment exercise.

Lawyers and compliance officers should advise clients to strictly rely on official Nigeria Police Force communication channels for recruitment updates. False notices like this can lead to fraud and misdirection, potentially impacting legal rights or financial well-being of individuals.

Source: Original reporting via Africa Check