NDLEA Warns Paramilitary Drug Test Payment: No Fees for Applicants

• The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned paramilitary recruits against paying for mandatory drug tests.
• The Ministry of Interior has already covered the cost for all drug integrity tests for new intakes.
• Reports indicate some applicants have paid N7,500 through the NDLEA drug testing portal despite official assurances of a free process.
• Applicants should access the NDLEA Drug Integrity Test portal via links provided on their respective recruitment portals.
• The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board's recruitment portal opened on October 28 and closes November 13 for shortlisted candidates.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a critical advisory to individuals seeking recruitment into various paramilitary organizations, explicitly cautioning them against making any payments for the mandatory Drug Integrity Test.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has issued a critical advisory to individuals seeking recruitment into various paramilitary organizations, explicitly cautioning them against making any payments for the mandatory Drug Integrity Test. This warning, dated October 30, 2026, comes in response to reports that some applicants have already disbursed N7,500 for the assessment, despite official assurances that the process is entirely free of charge. The NDLEA emphasized that the Ministry of Interior has already covered the costs for these crucial drug screenings.

This directive specifically targets applicants for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) had previously confirmed that the drug integrity test is a complimentary component of the recruitment process. The agency's Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, reiterated in a recent statement that all necessary arrangements for conducting these mandatory tests have been finalized as an integral part of the recruitment pipeline.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has clarified the correct procedure for accessing the mandatory Drug Integrity Test, stressing that no financial transaction is required from any candidate or personnel. The Ministry of Interior has made a comprehensive bulk payment to facilitate the testing of all new intakes, rendering any individual payments unnecessary. Consequently, the NDLEA has explicitly advised all candidates and participating personnel to refrain from remitting funds to agency officials, designated testing centers, or through any other unofficial channels for this exercise.

To ensure a streamlined and secure process, applicants are instructed to access the official NDLEA Drug Integrity Test portal exclusively through specific links or access points. These designated entry points will be provided on the respective institutional recruitment portals of the paramilitary agencies. This structured arrangement is designed to enable candidates to seamlessly navigate the NDLEA DIT platform, complete all required registration and documentation, and proceed with their testing without encountering any demands for additional payments.

The NDLEA's warning follows closely on the heels of an announcement by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) regarding the opening of its recruitment portal. This portal became accessible on October 28, allowing shortlisted candidates from the initial cohort of 30,000 paramilitary personnel to verify their application status and schedule their mandatory drug tests. The Board Secretary, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd.), confirmed that this portal would remain operational until November 13.

Candidates who successfully cleared the oral interview stage were urged by Jibrin to log in, confirm their eligibility, and retrieve a unique code essential for undertaking the drug test. These tests are scheduled to take place at designated National Drug Law Enforcement Agency offices located within the candidates' respective states. Following the successful completion of these integrity tests, applicants are then expected to travel to Abuja to collect their official appointment letters, marking the final step in their recruitment journey.

Lawyers advising individuals applying for paramilitary roles should be aware of this warning to prevent clients from falling victim to recruitment scams involving illegal payments for mandatory drug tests. For compliance officers within government agencies, this highlights the need for clear communication regarding official procedures and payment structures to prevent fraud and maintain public trust in recruitment processes.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers