The Military Pensions Board has disowned a WhatsApp group falsely created in its name and cautioned pensioners and the general public against engaging with it.
This is contained in a statement by the Relations Officer of the Board, Aliyu Mohammed, on Monday in Abuja.
Mohammed said that the group, titled Military Pensions Board, was created by unknown individuals and does not represent the position of the board.
In recent times, fraudulent individuals have increasingly used social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp to impersonate government bodies and exploit vulnerable populations.
The military pensioner community, which includes retired personnel and veterans, is often targeted with false promises, misinformation, or financial scams under the guise of official communication.
He stated that MPB had not established any WhatsApp groups for pensioners or veterans, warning that those circulating such platforms were fraudulent elements.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the MPB communicates with pensioners and stakeholders strictly through its official social media handles, press releases, official statements, and recognized communication channels,” he said.
The board’s spokesperson assured pensioners that their welfare remained the utmost priority of MPB and urged them to always seek clarification through official contacts whenever in doubt.
The Military Pensions Board is a Nigerian government agency responsible for administering and disbursing pensions and gratuities to retired military personnel. The Board plays a crucial role in ensuring that eligible veterans and their families receive timely and accurate pension payments, and it also serves as a point of contact for resolving pension-related issues.
Over the years, the MPB has worked to modernise its operations, including digitizing payment systems and improving communication with pensioners.
However, with the rise of social media and messaging platforms, fraudsters have increasingly impersonated official institutions to deceive unsuspecting members of the public—particularly vulnerable groups like retirees. (NAN)
