In a major development, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ has arrested a man for impersonating an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as part of a wider initiative to tackle fraud within the agency.
Abubakar Ibrahim, 28, was apprehended on April 29, 2024, at the Next Level hotel in Sokoto State, where he was discovered wearing an NCS uniform.
Isah Sulaiman, the Unit Public Relations Officer, stated that the arrest resulted from thorough investigations and collaboration between FOU ‘B’ operatives and the Sokoto State Command of the Nigerian Police Force.
Sulaiman confirmed that Ibrahim had been deceiving unsuspecting citizens while posing as an NCS representative. “The suspect has been transferred to the Customs Police Unit in the Sokoto/Zamfara Command for further investigation and legal proceedings,” he noted.
Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu of the Unit praised the Sokoto State Command for their quick response and cooperation, emphasizing the unit’s commitment to combating fraudulent activities within the service.
In response to this incident, Comptroller Shuaibu issued a warning to the public to remain cautious of social media accounts that solicit money for recruitment or auctions supposedly on behalf of the NCS. He reiterated that the NCS does not engage in such practices and is determined to take legal action against those involved in these deceptive activities. To promote transparency, he advised the public to follow only verified NCS social media accounts, such as “Nigeria Customs Service” on Facebook and ‘@CustomsNG’ on Twitter, along with other authenticated platforms, including a new WhatsApp channel.
Furthermore, the public was encouraged to clarify any NCS-related inquiries by visiting the nearest Public Relations Unit of any Customs Command.
The arrest of Abubakar Ibrahim highlights FOU ‘B’s ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service and uphold public trust in its operations. Ibrahim is expected to face legal repercussions as part of the unit’s strict enforcement against impersonators and fraudulent schemes targeting the NCS.