The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, Joseph Nanmwa Philips, for allegedly impersonating a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) using forged documents.
The suspect was paraded at the command headquarters on Thursday by the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, who also addressed allegations circulating online about unlawful detention and extortion within the command.
Odumosu dismissed the claims, describing them as “baseless, malicious and a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts for sensational purposes.”
According to the NSCDC, Philips, who is from Plateau State, was arrested on February 6, 2026, after allegedly presenting a forged NYSC call-up letter to secure a primary assignment at the International Model Science Academy in Kwali, within the Federal Capital Territory.
The command said the arrest followed complaints involving alleged forgery, hacking and impersonation of officials linked to the National Mathematical Center.
During questioning, Philips reportedly admitted to forging the NYSC call-up letter, while the NYSC also officially confirmed to the command that he was not a registered corps member.
Investigators further discovered that he signed monthly clearance forms in Lugbe under the Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC despite teaching at a school located in Kwali Area Council.
The NSCDC said further investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly cloned university email addresses and defrauded seven parents of about ₦1.3 million.
He reportedly collected the money while promising to secure University of Cambridge scholarships and provide extra academic lessons for their children.
Authorities clarified that the ₦1.4 million referenced in an online report was not a bribe for his release but the amount Philips was expected to refund to victims.
The command maintained that the suspect remains in custody because he has not met bail conditions and is being held under a valid remand order issued by the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2.
Items recovered from him include an NYSC uniform, a forged call-up letter and a bag containing hard drugs.
The NSCDC also warned government agencies and private institutions to remain vigilant, noting that the suspect was able to secure a placement as a corps member for nearly a year without detection.
Meanwhile, the command dismissed a separate allegation involving the detention of a 69-year-old man for 89 days, describing the claim as a “gross misrepresentation.” It explained that the individual was involved in a case of criminal breach of trust involving ₦217 million and had already been charged before the Federal High Court under a valid remand order.
The command further alleged that misinformation about the cases was spread by a suspect currently on administrative bail, Chimezie Otuojo, accusing him of attempting to blackmail the agency to divert attention from his own investigation.
NSCDC said it may pursue legal action against platforms that publish unverified reports about the command.
