The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said applicants for Interior Ministry jobs are not required to pay for the drug integrity test, according to Channels Television. The agency warned paramilitary recruits against making payments for the screening.
The clarification comes as the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) opened its recruitment portal for the final stage of the exercise, TVC News reports. The board set a deadline of November 14.
Vanguard News reported that some applicants ignored instructions and paid N7,500 for the drug test, which prompted the agency's warning. Punch Newspapers also carried the NDLEA's caution to recruits against paying for the test.
The CDCFIB handles recruitment into Nigeria's paramilitary services, which fall under the Interior Ministry. The drug integrity test is part of the screening process for candidates seeking to join those services.
The NDLEA's statement, as reported by Channels Television and other outlets, makes clear that the test itself carries no fee for applicants.
Applicants who have already paid may want to follow further guidance from the NDLEA and the CDCFIB. The next thing to watch is the November 14 deadline for the final stage of recruitment and any additional instructions the agencies issue before then.
