Eko Hot Blog reports the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has apprehended Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim, a man in his fifties, for his involvement in fraudulent activities and impersonation of high-ranking government officials, including the Comptroller-General of Customs.
The arrest was made possible through intelligence gathered by the Customs Police Unit.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesperson for the NCS, revealed on Monday that the suspect had impersonated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Chief of Staff to the President, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
The suspect allegedly fraudulently convinced numerous unsuspecting citizens to pay him money for the issuance of ‘job appointment letters,’ extorting over N1 million from them.
Maiwada emphasized the NCS’s commitment to combating criminal elements exploiting its name for fraudulent activities.
The suspect, Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim, confessed to his involvement in the fraudulent act and provided information about accomplices in the operation. This has led to further investigations to arrest and prosecute those involved.
Ibrahim was found in possession of counterfeit documents, including fake Customs and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) appointment letters, as well as forged introduction letters purportedly signed by high-ranking government officials.
“According to the National PRO, the suspect has fraudulently lured numerous unsuspecting citizens to pay him money for the issuance of ‘job appointment letters,’ thereby extorting over N1 million from them.
The statement also highlighted previous warnings by the NCS about fake recruitment adverts on social media platforms. In December 2023, the NCS management emphasized that there was no ongoing recruitment exercise in the service.
The arrest of Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim adds to the instances of individuals attempting to deceive the public through fraudulent recruitment schemes using the name of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In a related incident in June 2023, the Lagos police arrested Rakiya Musa, an alleged fake woman customs officer, for reportedly swindling unsuspecting members of the public.
The NCS continues to encourage citizens to be cautious and verify information, especially related to recruitment, to avoid falling victim to such scams.
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