Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has publicly disowned a circulating online publication promoting a so-called “AFRIPOL 2026” programme, warning the public that the scheme is fake, misleading, and entirely unauthorised. In a press statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Placid, in Abuja on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the NPF stated categorically that it had no involvement in the purported programme. The disclaimer cautioned Nigerians against engaging in any form of sponsorship, payment, or promotional activity relating to the fraudulent notice.
The Force noted that the fake publication had been circulating on social media and other online platforms, carrying the name “AFRIPOL 2026” and appearing to have been created to mislead the public. The statement also strongly condemned the unauthorised use of the name “AFRIPOL”—a globally recognised acronym for the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation, an official continental policing structure established under the African Union framework. By appropriating the name of an authentic African Union institution, the scammers attempted to make the scheme appear credible, but the NPF has now clarified that AFRIPOL is not a platform for any private or unauthorised programme.
Further compounding the gravity of the fraud, the Force revealed that the perpetrators had also misappropriated the official image of the Inspector‑General of Police, the official police logo and the general identity of the Force in connection with the bogus programme. “The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force did not authorise the use of the image of the Inspector‑General of Police, the official logo, or the identity of the Force in connection with the said programme,” the disclaimer added. The NPF urged members of the public and corporate organisations to disregard the publication completely and to refrain from any form of sponsorship, payment or engagement relating to the said event.
The police have not provided further details about the exact nature of the “programme” or what the fraudsters were promising, but the disclaimer is consistent with other notices that have been issued by the NPF and the Police Service Commission in recent months, all aimed at combating a surge of fake recruitment and training advertisements on social media. Earlier in May 2026, the Ogun State Police Command had warned the public over a fake 2026 recruitment medical screening schedule that was being circulated on messaging platforms. Similarly, the Lagos State Police Command had asked applicants to disregard a fraudulent medical screening date, urging caution against scammers seeking to exploit job‑seekers.
The Police Service Commission has also repeatedly emphasised that recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force is completely free and that applicants are not required to pay any fee at any stage of the process. In January 2026, the Commission warned cyber cafe agents against extorting money from aspiring recruits and said it would deal decisively with anyone found engaging in such fraudulent activities. Despite these repeated official statements, fraudsters continue to devise new schemes, including the “AFRIPOL 2026” programme, which appears designed to exploit the desperation of unemployed Nigerians seeking employment or training opportunities in the security sector.
Police authorities have urged citizens to verify any information purporting to come from the NPF through official channels, including the Force Public Relations Office or the nearest police command, before taking any action. They have also advised the public to report any suspicious advertisement to the authorities to help bring the perpetrators to justice. The NPF has reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens from fraud and ensuring that the image and identity of the Force are not abused by criminals. As investigations into the origin of the fake “AFRIPOL 2026” publication continue, the message from the Force remains unequivocal: disregard the notice, do not pay any money and do not share the false information.
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