In a significant breakthrough, law enforcement authorities have apprehended Rakiya Musa, a notorious impostor who has been posing as an officer of the Nigerian Customs Service.
The arrest came after an extensive investigation into a series of fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
The case unfolded on April 12, 2023, when Josiah Kashim Utenwojo and Dominic Okoh Henry lodged a formal complaint with the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2 Command in Onikan, Lagos. The petition detailed the fraudulent activities of Rakiya Musa, who deceitfully claimed to be in charge of the Public Auction Unit at Tin Can Port in Apapa, Lagos.
The cunning imposter resided in the Nigeria Air Force Mess Apapa for three months, skillfully masquerading as a genuine Customs officer.
Upon receiving the petition, Assistant Inspector General Ari Mohammed Ali swiftly deployed a team of seasoned detectives from the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation.
According to a statement released by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Command hedquarters, Onikan Lagos, SP Hauwa Idris Adamu, the inquiry revealed that Rakiya Musa had been introduced to her victims by Akinwande Kayode, a retired Naval officer.
Under the pretense of assisting them in acquiring auctioned vehicles from the Nigerian Customs Service, she convinced the victims to transfer the substantial sum of Three Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦3,200,000) to her personal account at UBA.
However, once the funds were received, Rakiya promptly cut off all communication, leaving her victims in shock and realization that they had fallen victim to her deceit. Every attempt made to contact her proved futile.
Following an exhaustive investigation, authorities successfully apprehended Rakiya Musa in Abuja. Upon her arrest, authorities recovered her counterfeit Nigerian Customs Service ID card and Customs Clearing Agent ID and was subsequently transported to Lagos for further interrogation.
During the course of the investigation, Rakiya Musa confessed to her prolonged impersonation as a Customs Officer, divulging that she had defrauded unsuspecting individuals for over 15 years. Moreover, she admitted to funneling One Million Naira (₦1,000,000) of the ill-gotten gains to her boyfriend, Akinwande Kayode.
This alarming revelation serves as a warning to the general public, urging vigilance and caution in dealing with individuals who may attempt to deceive them for personal gain. The authorities advise exercising utmost caution and verifying the credentials of individuals purporting to represent government agencies.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing, with the suspect poised to face charges upon the completion of the inquiry.
The diligent efforts of law enforcement have once again proven instrumental in safeguarding the public and bringing to justice those who seek to exploit others through deception and fraud.