Customs Arrest Fake Comptroller General Over Extortion, Recruitment Scandal

The Nigeria Customs Service has arrested a suspect over the impersonation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, extortion and issuance of ‘job appointment letters’ to unsuspecting members of the public.

The Customs disclosed this in a post via its X Account handle, signed by its spokesperson of Customs, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, on Wednesday.

The suspect, Mr Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim, 50s, was arrested following intelligence gathered by the Customs Police Unit of the Service.

According to a post shared on the Customs Service X Account, the suspect was also found to have been impersonating the Chief of Staff to the President and the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.

“The suspect has fraudulently lured numerous unsuspecting citizens to pay him money for the issuance of ‘job appointment letters,’ thereby extorting over N1 million from them,” the post said.

The Customs noted that Mr Ibrahim was found in possession of counterfeit documents, including “fake Customs and NSCDC appointment letters.

“Other exhibits found with the suspect include forged introduction letters purportedly signed by high-ranking government officials, along with many other items.”

Mr Ibrahim was said to have confessed to his involvement in the fraudulent act, implicating other accomplices in the operation.

The Customs pledged to apprehend Ibrahim’s accomplices for further investigation and prosecution.

The post noted that the arrest of the suspect underscores the effort of Nigeria Customs in mitigating and combating criminal elements who exploit the Service’s name for fraudulent activities.

The Nigerian Customs further reiterate its commitment to upholding the law and protecting citizens from fraudulent activities, adding, “The Service remains vigilant in identifying and apprehending individuals engaged in criminal acts that are aimed at tarnishing its reputation and exploiting unsuspecting members of the public.”