Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim, in his fifties, has been apprehended by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for engaging in fraudulent activities and impersonating high-ranking government officials, including the Comptroller-General of Customs. The NCS announced the arrest in a statement shared on its official handle on Wednesday.
The NCS spokesperson, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, revealed that the Customs Police Unit played a crucial role in the suspect's arrest, relying on gathered intelligence. The statement outlined that Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim, the arrested individual, had falsely posed as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Chief of Staff to the President, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.
The suspect allegedly deceived numerous unsuspecting citizens by soliciting money from them for the issuance of fake 'job appointment letters,' resulting in extorting over N1 million from his victims. The National PRO emphasized that the arrest reflects the continuous efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service to counter criminal elements exploiting the organization's name for fraudulent purposes.
Abdul-Rahman Ibrahim reportedly confessed to his involvement in the fraudulent activities and provided information about his accomplices. This admission triggered further investigations aimed at apprehending and prosecuting those involved.
The statement also mentioned a previous case in June 2023, where a fake female customs officer, Rakiya Musa, was arrested by the Lagos police for allegedly defrauding members of the public. Additionally, in December 2023, the NCS management clarified that there was no ongoing recruitment exercise within the service and cautioned the public against fake recruitment advertisements circulating on social media platforms.
