Don’t pay N7,500 for drug screening, paramilitary applicants told

Some of those shortlisted in the current recruitment process of the paramilitary institution failed to follow the guidelines given through the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) website and tapped “Apply for Drug Test,” which involves payment of N7,500 while at a time the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) had assured them that the test was free.

However, most of those that adhered to the guideline given through the NDLEA website stated to Vanguard that they registered without paying anything.

Secretary of the CDCFIB, Major General Abdulmalik Jibril (retd), had last week told journalists in Abuja after the board’s meeting that the government bore the cost of the test.

“Candidates are not to pay anything. They are only to report to NDLEA where they will submit their sample and the result will be given to them instantly,” he said.

The NDLEA’s drug test portal, drugandvisa.ndlea.gov.ng, reviewed by Vanguard on Wednesday morning, showed that applicants who by mistake go through the “Apply for Drug Test” option are required to pay N7,500 under a section titled “Complete Drug Test Application.”

Jibril had explained that successful candidates who reached the oral interview stage would check their status on the CDCFIB portal, take a code and report to the NDLEA office in their respective states.

“It is after that that they will all converge on Abuja to collect their letters of appointment. So, you must come along with your drug-free certificate before you collect your letter,” he said.

Asked at the time whether the test was free, Jibril was categorical. “That means it is free. So no candidate will be charged. If any candidate reports and is asked to give money, let him report to the nearest security agency’s office,” he said.