According to a report by SaharaReporters, some Nigerians have lamented falling victim to fraudsters in a quote to purchase slots for recruitment into the Department of State Services.

Among such victims, a young man, Suleiman Umar Bakari, who was attempting to get enlisted in the service, said he lost the sum of N1.5 million after someone persuaded him to spend for a slot allegedly coming from Mohammed Bichi, among the kids of the Director-General of DSS, Yusuf Bichi.

According to Bakari, he applied on the DSS recruitment website in 2020 and sat for the assessment at Taraba State University the very same year.

After the test, Bakari stated he was notified that there were slots offered to the DG’s boy, which will cost at least N1,500, 000 but there was opportunity to pay N800, 000 in advance.

The aggrieved boy, nevertheless, said he didn’t deal directly with the DG’s child however a buddy to Mohammed, who also engaged the services of one Jamilu Adi, a staff of the Fire Service in Yola.

Bakari stated the assurance he received from the trio made him sell an acquired land in order to spend for the slot.

According to him, he was finally admitted into the Bauchi camp along with 2 other individuals but were later asked to leave for failure to bring clearance documents from Abuja.

He stated he had actually later on returned to the camp to recover forgotten files only to discover that he had been scammed.

He said efforts to get the cash back from Mohammed Bichi, Mohammed Bello and Jamilu Adi had proved futile.

He stated, “I am Suleiman Umar Bakari. I applied to the 2020 Department of State Services, sat for the evaluation at Taraba State University, my I.D was DSS/TR/20/ 385B.

“After the examination, somebody informed us that the DG DSS kid had a real slot, each will cost N1.5 million but that we can make an advance payment of N800,000 and above.

“The DG’s son, Mohammed Bichi, made his friend Mohammed Bello take charge while Jamilu Adi, who deals with the Fire Service in Yola, was entrusted with looking for interested applicants.

“Mohammed Bello informed us to come to Bauchi camp for training, and go through Ambassador Ali Daura. We were 3 in number, Yusuf Isa, Bilkisu Murtala and myself.

“We were ushered into Taraba auditorium, Jazuli was the head of the screening, while one Suleiman stands as a checker. We were told to bring clearance from Abuja, and we informed individuals doing the work for us.

“I followed a good friend to Block A Room 1, and in the dining, I was number 754. We were issued cutleries, cups and plates.

“When I returned in the morning, Jazuli asked me if I included the clearance, I said no. I surrendered everything to them, at the gate I was informed to write my name, state, phone number.

“After 2 weeks in Bauchi, Jamilu Adi continued to motivate us. Later, I remembered I left my files in Block A Room 1. I was accompanied by their workers to come to get the document.

“The second batch already went into the camp at that time, that was when we knew we’ve been scammed. We sought for a refund of our cash however instead, they were informing us that by October, they will reimburse us.

“Later they stated we must wait till diploma set goes outdoor camping that they will settle us completely. This was someone who guaranteed to offer us by October and now he is stating till diploma.

“I had to offer a piece of land I inherited to raise that money, so that my life might change.”

Another Nigerian, who pleaded anonymity, said he lost N500, 000 to the scammers however unlike Suleiman, he was never opportuned to go to any of the camps.

He said a pal, who was likewise applying to the force, had notified him of the slots for which the duo paid N500, 000 each but never heard again from the fraudsters, who at first declared they were authorities of the service.

The aggrieved individual said, “I still feel extremely dreadful that I paid that cash since ideally we are not supposed to spend for it however I just desired a system of benefit and it boomeranged.

“My recommendations to the DSS is to issue disclaimers, warn individuals against these “authorities” and if possible, attempt and arrest the criminals.”

ToriNG