Customs Report
FOU Zone ‘B’ Nabs Fake Customs Officer
BY FUNMI ALUKO
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna has served out strong warnings to impersonators of personnel of the service to desist or be ready to face the consequences, as the leadership of the unit has vowed to to fish out fake officers and men, whom he says uses the uniform to perpetrate unwholesome conducts injurious to the image of the service.
Speaking on the development, the Unit Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu informed that Mr Abubakar Ibrahim was arrested on April 29, 2024 at Next Level Hotel Sokoto, Sokoto State with the cooperation of the State Police Command.
According to a release by the Unit Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the unit recently arrested one 28 years old Abubakar Ibrahim, through intelligence report regarding his suspicious activities.
The statement reads, “The saying that “every day is for the thief, one day is for the owner” recently played out and caught up with one Abubakar Ibrahim “M”, aged 28 years who has been impersonating and defrauding innocent Nigerians in the name of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“After a period of trailing and investigation, the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ relying on robust intelligence and collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command arrested Mr Abubakar Ibrahim on 29 April 2024 at Next Level Hotel in Sokoto State.’
Comptroller Shuaibu disclosed that the suspect will be put through court trial after the conclusion of investigation and appealed to the public to continue to furnish the NCS or the Nigeria Police and other organs of security services information about suspected illegal activities of fake uniform men and economic saboteurs.
He said, “The suspect who was arrested in NCS uniform was handed over to the Customs Police Unit, Sokoto/Zamfara Command for discreet investigation. He will be arraigned in Court in line with the extant laws.
“The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu appreciates the Nigeria Police, Sokoto State Command for their cooperation and swift response leading to the arrest of the culprit.
“Comptroller Shuaibu urged members of the public to disregard any social media account requesting money for recruitment or auction as the Service does not collect money for such exercises. He reiterated the Unit’s commitment in arresting and prosecuting fraudulent elements who parade themselves as Officers or Men of the Nigeria Customs Service on social media and other platforms
“The Comptroller advised members of the public to follow only verified social media accounts of the NCS with the blue tick like Nigeria Customs Service on Facebook, @CustomsNG on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms including a recently created WhatsApp Channel.”
The Unit Controller added that members of the public should feel free to visit the nearest Public Relations Unit of any Customs Command for clarification on any issue concerning the Service.