NATCOM Recruitment Update: Sen. Nwoko Asks 3,000 Applicants To Stay Calm Amid DG’s Alleged Fraud Investigation

Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North senatorial District in Delta state, has appealed to the 3,000 applicants undergoing his sponsorship in the recruitment exercise by the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM), to remain patient amidst growing concerns surrounding delays in the selection process.

BIGPEN NIGERIA (https://bigpenngr.com) report the delays have been attributed to an ongoing police investigation into the Director General (DG) of NATCOM, who is facing allegations of fraud.

The recruitment effort, which initially brought hope to many qualified candidates seeking opportunities within the organization, has been overshadowed by the serious allegations against the DG.

Senator Nwoko, speaking on the matter through his Chief of Staff, Dr. Michael Nwoko, said that the exercise has experienced delays due to ongoing police investigations involving the Commission’s Acting Director General.

According to the statement issued by Dr. Michael Nwoko, the recruitment exercise—held in April 2024 in Asaba and involving 3,000 shortlisted applicants from Delta North Senatorial District—has yet to be concluded due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Commission’s Acting Director General, Otunba Adejere Rewane Adegbenro, is currently under police investigation for alleged fraud related to the nationwide recruitment initiative.

In a bid to support youth employment, Senator Ned Nwoko had generously covered the processing fees for all 3,000 applicants from his district who participated in the screening.

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The gesture reflects the Senator’s ongoing commitment to empowering unemployed youths in Delta North through meaningful job opportunities.

Dr. Nwoko encouraged applicants and the public to remain patient and calm, assuring them that updates on the status of the recruitment process will be provided once investigations are concluded.

Facts available to this news portal indicate that Adegbenro was invited by the Special Weapons and Tactical Team (SWTT) the Nigeria police force on April 26, 2024 to respond to a petition written against him. That was the beginning of his travail.

The full statement is reproduced below:

“This is to inform the good people of Delta North Senatorial District that the recruitment process conducted by the National Commission for the coordination and control of proliferation of small arms and light weapons (NATCOM) where 3,000 applicants were shortlisted and screened in Asaba in April 2024 is yet to be concluded due to some unforseen circumstances.

The Ag. Director General of the Commission, Otunba Adejere Rewane Adegbenro, has been under police investigation for fraud in connection with the recruitment exercise conducted across the Country.

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Suffice to state that Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko graciously paid the processing fee for 3,000 applicants who participated in the screening exercise in line with his burning desire to create robust employment opportunities for the unemployed youths in Delta North Senatorial District.

Whilst the Distinguished Senator remains resolutely committed to creating job opportunities for the youths of Delta North Senatorial District, we urge you all to be calm as you will be intimated of the status of the NATCOM recruitment process once the police investigation is concluded.

Dr. Michael Nwoko
Chief of Staff to Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko, Delta North Senatorial District.