Abuja, Nigeria – June 20, 2025 The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning to the general public against falling prey to a growing number of online scams falsely linked to the agency, particularly on social media platforms. These scams involve fraudulent recruitment and fake auction offers, often using the names and images of senior Customs officials to deceive unsuspecting citizens.
Speaking during a media briefing held at the NCS headquarters in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, raised concern over the alarming trend of impersonation and online fraud targeting innocent Nigerians.
“We have observed a disturbing rise in fake accounts bearing the names and photographs of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the National PRO, and even retired senior officers. These impersonators falsely claim to offer job placements and auction opportunities in the name of the Service,” Maiwada said.
He stressed that the NCS does not conduct recruitment or auction exercises via social media, describing such activities as “criminal acts aimed at tarnishing the Service’s reputation and defrauding innocent citizens.”
In a recent development to combat the menace, the Service confirmed the arrest of Mr Okoli Okana Boniface on June 16, 2025, for allegedly manipulating the recruitment process while falsely posing as an aide to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“The case was promptly reported and investigated by the Customs Police Unit. Our findings confirmed that it was a calculated attempt to compromise the integrity of the recruitment exercise,” Maiwada revealed.
The arrest, he said, underscores the Service’s commitment to preserving the credibility of its operations. He reiterated the NCS’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of fraud and promised that further investigations are ongoing to uncover any linked criminal networks.
Maiwada advised Nigerians to remain alert and cautious, urging them to always verify any information related to Customs recruitment or auctions through official channels only.
“We urge the public to ignore any messages or offers from unverified sources and rely solely on our verified platforms, including our website and official social media handles, for accurate and up-to-date information,” he advised.
Reaffirming the position of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Maiwada concluded: “The Nigeria Customs Service remains fully committed to identifying, exposing, and prosecuting those who seek to undermine our operations through deceit. We will continue to protect Nigerians from these fraudulent schemes.”
The NCS encourages anyone who encounters suspicious messages or individuals claiming to represent the agency to report such cases immediately for investigation.
