The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps Federal Capital Territory Command has refuted claims of unlawful detention of suspects and demands for money to secure their release, labeling the reports as false and misleading.
The Command specifically dismissed allegations published by SaharaReporters, describing the outlet’s claims as unfounded and misleading.
Commandant of the FCT Command, Olusola Odumosu, emphasized that the allegations were malicious and entirely baseless.
He clarified that the individual named Joseph Nanmwa Philips was not a legitimate corps member but an impostor who reportedly obtained over ₦1.3 million from parents under false pretences.
According to Odumosu, Philips allegedly forged a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter to secure placement at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali, claiming it was his primary assignment.
He added that Philips misled parents into believing he was facilitating scholarship opportunities at the University of Cambridge, using this pretense to defraud them of over ₦1.3 million.
Odumosu reaffirmed that the Corps conducted its operations lawfully and remained committed to professionalism and proper legal procedure.
Odumosu stated, “The alleged suspect, Joseph Nanmwa Philips, 27 years of age, from Plateau state, is an impostor; a fake Corps member who forged his NYSC call-up letter to gain placement at the International Model Science Academy, Kwali, a subsidiary of the National Mathematical Centre, Kwali, for his primary assignment.
“The self-acclaimed NYSC member, Joseph Nanmwa Philips, was arrested by our Kwali Division on Friday, 6th February, 2026, following complaints bordering on forgery, hacking, and impersonation of the leadership of the National Mathematical Centre, Kwali, where he was observing his Place of Primary Assignment (Under false pretence of being a corps member) on social media.
“Upon preliminary investigation, he was transferred to the FCT Command for further investigation on Monday, 9th February 2026.
“Guided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, he was interrogated, a statement obtained, and was issued a grant of bail on the same day (9th February, 2026), but was unable to meet his bail condition as no credible surety has come forth for him.
“However, as a law-abiding security agency fully sensitive to the rule of law, the Command approached the court to obtain a remand order for him as stipulated by law to justify holding him in our facility while the investigation continues. The remand order was issued by the Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja.
“Contrary to the falsehood being spread by Chimezie through SaharaReporters on the alleged demand for money by the Command for his release, the published sum was the amount of money fraudulently collected from some parents, which the suspect was meant to refund to them, as our Investigation revealed. The sum of N1.3m had been fraudulently collected from different parents by the suspect. This is what Chimezie, who once shared a facility with the suspect, has decided to weaponize against the Command.”
The Commandant noted that NYSC Abuja had issued a disclaimer on Philips, stating that he is unknown to the organization and confirming his call-up letter was fake.
On separate claims that a 69-year-old man was detained illegally for 89 days with a supposed ₦10 million demand for release, Odumosu dismissed the reports as fictional.
He explained, “The matter in question originated from a formal complaint lodged by TroBell Minerals Ltd, alleging Criminal Breach of Trust and Obtaining by False Pretence involving the sum of two hundred and seventeen million (₦217,000,000), and following a thorough investigation, the suspect was charged before the Federal High Court.
“Contrary to the claims in the publication, the suspect was not detained for 89 days as alleged. His custody was carried out in line with the law and pursuant to a valid remand order issued by a competent court of jurisdiction.
“Furthermore, the allegations that nine (9) suspects in connection with the case paid N1million each before they were granted bail and officers demanding a ‘Commandant’s fee’ of ten million naira (₦10,000,000) for the suspect’s release are entirely false, unfounded, and concocted without any credible evidence.”
Odumosu concluded by reaffirming the Command’s dedication to due process, professionalism, and the rule of law, urging Nigerians to disregard the misleading reports entirely.
