Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested Okoli Okana Boniface, a suspected scammer accused of attempting to manipulate the recruitment process by posing as an aide to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The arrest was made on June 16, 2025, as part of the NCS’s intensified campaign against fraudulent job and auction schemes preying on unsuspecting Nigerians.
During a press briefing held at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, disclosed that Boniface’s actions were a calculated attempt to compromise the integrity of the Customs recruitment process.
Maiwada highlighted a disturbing trend: scammers creating fake online accounts impersonating senior Customs officials, including the Comptroller-General, to lure victims with false promises of jobs or auction opportunities. He condemned these activities as criminal and damaging to the agency’s reputation.
“These are deliberate acts of deception that aim to defraud and exploit citizens, and we are committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible,” Maiwada stated.
Boniface’s case was thoroughly investigated by the Customs Police Unit, which confirmed the suspect’s intent to infiltrate the recruitment exercise under false pretenses.
The NCS stressed that recruitment and auction processes are never conducted via social media and urged citizens to rely solely on official, verified channels for information.
“Disregard unsolicited offers from unverified sources,” Maiwada warned. “The NCS will continue exposing those who attempt to undermine our operations.”
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, calling on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity through proper channels.
