NSCDC Arrests Woman for Defrauding Job Seekers in Enugu

ENUGU— The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, has arrested a woman, Mrs Serah Uchechukwu Onyemerela, for allegedly defrauding 16 job seekers of N6.139 million under the guise of securing employment for them.

The Commandant of the NSCDC in Enugu, Dr Elijah Willie, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the arrest and ongoing investigation.

Willie said Onyemerela allegedly collected N306,000 each from the 16 job seekers, promising to secure employment for them at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

He said the suspect had allegedly evaded arrest by several security agencies until an NSCDC officer tracked her down and brought her to the command.

According to him, two complainants, Mrs Love Nnenna Onyema and Mrs Chidimma Ubah, separately reported on August 12 and 18 that the suspect had allegedly defrauded them of N770,000 and N424,500 respectively.

“This amounts to a total of N1,194,500 from both. However, the amounts collected from the remaining people that made up the 16 job seekers at N306,000 each totalled N6,139,000,” Willie said.

He said there was evidence suggesting that the suspect had no genuine intention of securing the promised jobs, noting that there were no current vacancies at the hospital and that she had failed to refund the money as promised.

“The suspect allegedly promised to assist the complainants in securing employment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

“However, there is evidence indicating a lack of genuine intent, as there are no current job vacancies available, and the suspect has failed to refund the amounts as promised,” he said.

Willie said the suspect was summoned, tracked and detained on August 17 after she failed to fulfil the conditions attached to an administrative bail application facilitated by the NSCDC.

He added that Onyemerela had since confessed to the alleged offences of job fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

“The funds were transferred to a personnel account linked to Mrs Onyemerela Serah Uchechukwu,” he said.

The commandant warned job seekers against paying individuals who promise to secure employment or other forms of assistance for them.

He urged Nigerians to be wary of situations where payment was demanded before assistance could be rendered, describing such arrangements as a major warning sign of fraud.

“Our people should get wise like people in advance world and stop falling prey to swindlers and wicked people who are bent on taking the little they have from them,” Willie said.

He said the NSCDC remained committed to removing unscrupulous elements from society and protecting Nigerians from fraudulent schemes.

“However, the NSCDC has a mandate to take away these unscrupulous elements out of the society for Nigerians to experience peace as well as the trust and bond in the society continue.”

Willie said the suspect would be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after the NSCDC concludes its preliminary investigation.