Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a significant crackdown on fraudulent activities, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ has apprehended Abubakar Ibrahim, a 28-year-old man, for impersonating a Customs officer.
Ibrahim had been exploiting unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of the Nigeria Customs Service, but his charade came to an end on April 29, 2024, when operatives, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command, arrested him at the Next Level Hotel in Sokoto State.
Clad in NCS uniform at the time of his arrest, Ibrahim has been handed over to the Customs Police Unit, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, for further investigation. According to Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, the head of the Unit, this swift action was made possible through robust intelligence and the seamless cooperation of law enforcement agencies.
Comptroller Shuaibu commended the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command, for their prompt response, emphasizing the unit’s dedication to combatting fraudulent activities.
He urged the public to remain vigilant, cautioning against falling victim to scams perpetrated by individuals posing as Customs officers on social media and other platforms.
Furthermore, Comptroller Shuaibu advised the public to only engage with verified social media accounts of the Nigeria Customs Service, such as Nigeria Customs Service on Facebook and @CustomsNG on X (formerly Twitter), along with a newly established WhatsApp Channel.
He also encouraged individuals to seek clarification from the nearest Customs Command’s Public Relations Unit regarding any concerns about the Service.