Paramilitary recruitment: Shortlisted candidates face mandatory drug tests

The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board announced that its recruitment portal for the first batch of 30,000 paramilitary personnel would open on October 28 and remain open until November 13. Board Secretary, Maj. Gen. Abdulmalik Jibrin (retd.), informed journalists about the portal during a briefing in Abuja.

Candidates shortlisted after their oral interview are required to log in, confirm their status, and obtain a code for the mandatory drug test. The drug tests will be conducted at designated National Drug Law Enforcement Agency offices in each state before the candidates proceed to Abuja to collect their appointment letters. President Bola Tinubu has committed to recruiting 120,000 personnel into the country's paramilitary services within his first four-year tenure.

The first batch of 30,000 recruits will undergo the mandatory drug test in line with the Federal Government's directive that prospective employees must provide evidence that they are free from illegal drug use before receiving their appointment letters. The drug test is free of charge, as the government will bear the cost. Candidates are advised to present a certificate confirming their drug-free status to collect their appointment letters in Abuja.