The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has raised concern over a disturbing increase in fraudulent recruitment and auction schemes being circulated on various social media platforms. The Service warned the general public to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to these online scams.
During a press briefing held at the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed that fraudsters are now impersonating senior officials of the Service to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
“We have observed a disturbing rise in fake accounts bearing the names and images of the Comptroller-General of Customs, the National PRO, and even retired senior officers, all falsely claiming to offer jobs and auction opportunities,” Maiwada stated.
He made it clear that the Nigeria Customs Service does not conduct recruitment or auction exercises via social media, describing these claims as deliberate attempts to mislead the public and discredit the Service.
As part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on such criminal activities, Maiwada revealed that a suspect, Mr. Okoli Okana Boniface, was apprehended on 16 June 2025 for allegedly impersonating an aide to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and attempting to manipulate the Customs recruitment process.
“The case was promptly reported and thoroughly investigated by the Customs Police Unit. Findings confirmed it was a calculated attempt to compromise the integrity of the recruitment exercise,” he added.
Maiwada described the arrest as a clear demonstration of the Service’s commitment to maintaining the credibility and transparency of its operations. He affirmed that further investigations are underway to track down others involved in similar fraudulent acts.
He urged members of the public to verify all information regarding recruitment and auction exercises exclusively through the official communication channels of the NCS, including its website and verified social media handles.
“We advise the public to disregard messages or offers from unverified sources and to rely solely on our verified platforms for accurate information,” Maiwada emphasized.
Reiterating the stance of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Maiwada concluded, “The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to identifying, exposing, and prosecuting those who seek to compromise our operations through deceit and fraud.”
