By Parrot Newspaper 
Over 5,000 Civil Servants Abscond During Yobe Staff Screening
At least 5,029 civil servants in Yobe State failed to participate in the just-concluded staff screening exercise, raising concerns about the authenticity of employment records in the state’s civil service.
The screening exercise, which started in June 2024 and ended on February 28, 2025, recorded the participation of only 27,111 workers out of a total staff strength of 32,140. The chairman of the screening committee, Bukar Kilo, made this known while presenting the committee’s report to the Head of Civil Service in Damaturu on Tuesday.
“However, 5,029 staff failed to submit their bio-data forms, raising concerns about the authenticity of our staff records,” Mr. Kilo, who also serves as the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, stated.
To address the discrepancy, the committee recommended the formation of a verification committee to investigate the issue. Mr. Kilo suggested that the absentees should be mandated to present their original credentials, employment records, and salary statements for the past six months. He warned that failure to comply should lead to a suspension of salaries.
The committee chairman emphasized that such measures would enhance accountability and ensure the accuracy of civil service records. He also highlighted the need for capacity-building training for workers to improve efficiency in the state’s civil service.
In response, the Head of Civil Service, Tonga Betara, praised the screening committee for its dedication and integrity in executing the exercise.
The absence of over 5,000 workers raises fresh concerns about ghost workers and fraudulent payroll activities, issues that have long plagued Nigeria’s civil service. If enforced, the verification process could help sanitize the system and improve public service delivery in Yobe State.