The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) says its recruitment portal will open on Wednesday for candidates awaiting appointment letters to undergo a compulsory free drug test.

Secretary to the Board, retired Maj.-Gen. Abdulmalik Jubril, disclosed this while updating newsmen on the recruitment exercise after the board’s meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

Jubril announced that the portal would remain open from Oct. 28 to Nov. 13, 2026 to enable candidates who had reached the oral interview stage to check their status and obtain codes for mandatory drug tests.

According to him, the tests would be conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in line with the Federal Government’s directive on drug screening for prospective employees.

He emphasised that the drug test would be free for candidates, as the government would bear the cost.

“Candidates are not to pay anything. They are only to report to the NDLEA office, submit their samples and receive their results,” he said.

He warned that any candidate asked to pay for the test should report the incident to the nearest security agency’s office.

The secretary further said that codes will be generated for candidates which will be used to proceed to designated NDLEA offices for mandatory drug tests.

He added that successful candidates must present certificates confirming they are free from illegal drug use before collecting their appointment letters from in Abuja.

“Every employee that has gone to get an appointment letter must submit the document alongside a certificate that clears him free of use of illegal drugs.

“After that they will proceed by converging in Abuja to collect their letters of appointment, and that is the documentation.

“So, you must come along with your certificate of free from drug abuse before you collect your letter,” he emphasised.

Jubril also said the recruitment exercise formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to recruit 120,000 personnel into the paramilitary services over four years.

He said the current exercise covered the first batch of 30,000 personnel under the presidential commitment. (NAN)