The Police in Markudi have arrested three members of a criminal gang accused of swindling unsuspecting job seekers with a promise to recruit them into the navy, authorities said on Tuesday.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said in a statement that the three suspects, led by a dismissed navy official, were arrested last week in a hotel in Makurdi, Benue State based on a tipoff.

“At the time of their arrest, 11 people already hoodwinked into believing they were on the verge of being recruited into the Nigerian navy were found with them,” he said.

He said each applicant was made to pay between N10, 000 and N20, 000 naira.

Mr Mba said items including two laptops, three navy uniforms, one navy identity card bearing the name of the gang leader and the sum of N100, 000 naira collected from the victims were recovered from the gang.

He advised job seekers to always authenticate “information relating to job adverts from appropriate authorities in order not to fall prey to unscrupulous fraudsters.”