In a decisive blow against fraudulent activities, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ (FOU ‘B’) has successfully apprehended a notorious impostor masquerading as a customs officer, reaffirming its commitment to rooting out impostors within the Nigeria Customs Service.
Abubakar Ibrahim, aged 28, found himself ensnared by the long arm of the law after a relentless pursuit by FOU ‘B’ operatives, who, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command, tracked him down to Next Level hotel in Sokoto State on 29th April 2024.
The suspect, donning the uniform of the Nigeria Customs Service, was promptly taken into custody and handed over to the Customs Police Unit, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, for further investigation. His fraudulent activities, which targeted unsuspecting Nigerians, have now come to an abrupt end as he awaits prosecution in accordance with the law.
Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, head of FOU ‘B’, expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command, for their invaluable cooperation and swift action in apprehending the perpetrator. Emphasizing the seriousness of the matter, he reiterated FOU ‘B’s unwavering resolve to clamp down on individuals who deceive the public by impersonating customs officials.
Furthermore, Comptroller Shuaibu issued a stern warning to the public, urging them to remain vigilant and disregard any solicitations for money purportedly for recruitment or auction exercises. He emphasized that the Nigeria Customs Service does not solicit funds for such purposes and urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
To mitigate the risk of falling victim to fraudsters, Comptroller Shuaibu advised the public to only follow verified social media accounts of the Nigeria Customs Service, identifiable by the blue tick symbol. He cited platforms such as Facebook, @CustomsNG on X (formerly Twitter), and a newly established WhatsApp Channel as legitimate channels for information dissemination.
Additionally, members of the public were encouraged to seek clarification on customs-related matters by visiting the nearest Public Relations Unit of any Customs Command.