The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested a 27-year-old man, Joseph Nanmwa Philips, for allegedly impersonating a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and using forged documents to secure a teaching position at a school in Abuja.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing on Thursday, the FCT Commandant of the corps, Olusola Odumosu, dismissed reports circulating online that the agency unlawfully detained a supposed corps member while demanding “commandant’s fees” for his release.
Odumosu described the claims as baseless and malicious, saying they were intended to misrepresent facts for sensational purposes.
According to him, Philips, who is from Plateau State, forged an NYSC call-up letter and used it to gain placement at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali Area Council, where he reportedly worked for nearly a year.
The commandant explained that the suspect was initially arrested on February 6 following complaints of forgery, hacking and impersonation, and was later transferred to the FCT Command on February 9 for further investigation.
He noted that the suspect was granted bail the same day but could not meet the conditions because he failed to provide a credible surety. Consequently, the command obtained a remand order from a Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Odumosu also rejected allegations that the corps demanded money for Philips’ release, clarifying that the sum of about N1.3 million being mentioned was the amount the suspect allegedly collected from parents under false pretences.
He said investigations revealed that Philips reportedly defrauded several parents by promising to secure Cambridge University scholarships and provide extra lessons for their children.
Items recovered from the suspect included a forged NYSC call-up letter, an NYSC uniform, documents related to financial transactions, a bag containing hard drugs and other materials linked to the alleged fraud.
The commandant further dismissed claims that the suspect was not properly fed while in custody, insisting that the corps adheres to the provisions of the ACJA, which requires suspects to be fed at least twice daily.
He added that the command had obtained a disclaimer letter from the NYSC FCT office confirming that Philips was not a registered corps member, while statements from seven affected parents would be presented in court during prosecution.
Speaking with journalists, Philips reportedly admitted forging the call-up letter after he was apprehended by the Kwali Division of the NSCDC following complaints of impersonation and hacking linked to the National Mathematical Centre.
The forged document was allegedly used to secure his placement at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali, where he taught Mathematics and Physics while signing monthly clearance at Lugbe in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
Earlier reports had alleged that Philips was detained for more than two months by the NSCDC following a dispute with the proprietor of the school after he organised extra coaching classes for students preparing for scholarship examinations without the approval of the school management.
A former detainee, identified as Chimezie Otuojor, had also claimed that Philips spent about 65 days in custody without being taken to court and alleged that officials demanded N1.3 million and an additional N120,000 described as a “commandant’s service charge” before his release.
However, the NSCDC command maintained that the allegations were false and insisted that the suspect’s detention followed due legal process.