The Nigeria Police Force has commenced investigation into the activities of a company circulating online and unsolicited SMS to members of the public on behalf of the Force for a fee.
The unnamed firm was said to have sent spurious and suspicious messages, some of which requested citizens to dial a short-code number to obtain information on general and specific security issues, among other things.
A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja on Thursday said the company charged N50 per SMS for information on the police.
He added that the firm asked people to reach them in case of emergency and pass confidential information through them to the police.
It said, "One of the messages currently in circulation reads, 'The Nigeria Police is aware of fake men posing as real Policemen! Avoid falling a prey. Dial 7411 now to get ways in identifying real Policemen. Call charge: N50 per minute'."
The police said it had not authorised any person or group of persons to receive distress calls or information on its behalf, and neither had it outsourced such duties to any organisation.
It stated that most of the information provided by the organisation about the police were false and totally misleading, with the capacity of undermining national security, the image of the Force and current efforts at combating crimes and criminality.
"The activities of this group are also suspected to be part of calculated plans to fleece innocent Nigerians of their hard earned income through the exorbitant charge of N50 per SMS. Members of the public are therefore advised to refrain from relating with this organization or responding to GSM messages and other online publications emanating from them regarding the Nigeria Police Force," the statement added.
The police advised citizens in distress to call the local police telephone numbers.
He also enjoined anyone with credible information on the fraudulent company to provide it to a senior police officer at any police station.
It requested the public to visit www.npf.gov.ng for any information or clarification regarding the Force, which it said were provided at no cost to the public.
The Punch