Daud Olatunji
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has warned newly recruited personnel into paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior against paying any money for the mandatory Drug Integrity Test (DIT), declaring that the exercise has already been fully funded by the ministry.
The agency said the Ministry of Interior had made bulk payment to cover the drug screening of new recruits into the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Consequently, the NDLEA cautioned candidates participating in the exercise against making payments to its officials, designated testing centres or through any other payment channel.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi urged the recruits and other personnel involved in the exercise to disregard any demand for payment, stressing that the drug screening had already been covered by the Ministry of Interior.
According to the agency, candidates are expected to access its Drug Integrity Test portal through designated links or access points to be provided on the respective institutional portals of the participating paramilitary organisations.
The platform, it explained, would enable applicants to complete the necessary registration and documentation ahead of the screening without incurring additional charges.
The NDLEA therefore advised candidates to follow the official procedures for the exercise and remain vigilant against anyone attempting to collect money under the guise of facilitating their drug tests.
The agency also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Interior for its cooperation, assuring that it remained committed to ensuring a smooth, transparent and efficient implementation of the screening programme.
The Drug Integrity Test is part of the screening process for personnel entering the country’s paramilitary institutions, where adherence to drug-free standards is considered essential to maintaining discipline and public confidence in the services.
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