The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a stern warning to the general public to disregard ongoing fake recruitment advertisements circulating across social media platforms and online forums. The service described the fraudulent messages as the handiwork of scammers seeking to exploit unsuspecting Nigerians by extorting money under the guise of offering employment opportunities.
In a statement released by the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS clarified that it is not currently conducting any recruitment exercise and urged the public to rely solely on official communication channels for verified information. He said the deceptive posts, which have gone viral on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, were designed to mislead job seekers desperate for government employment.
Maiwada stressed that the Customs Service follows a transparent, merit-based recruitment process, which is always announced publicly through national newspapers, the official NCS website, and verified social media handles. “We wish to categorically state that the Nigeria Customs Service is not recruiting at this time. Any advertisement claiming otherwise is false and should be ignored. The Service will never demand payment or personal details in exchange for employment,” he stated.
He further revealed that some of the fraudulent websites have been traced to cybercriminal syndicates that operate fake portals bearing close resemblance to the official NCS site. These sites, he said, often request applicants to pay registration or processing fees, which are subsequently diverted by the fraudsters. Maiwada urged Nigerians to exercise vigilance and report suspicious links or messages to law enforcement agencies for investigation.
The spokesperson also cautioned members of the public against patronizing individuals who claim to have “connections” within the service or can guarantee job placements. According to him, such people are impostors exploiting the desperation of job seekers. “No individual or external agent has the authority to offer employment on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service. All recruitment activities are coordinated directly by the Service and supervised by relevant government agencies to ensure fairness and accountability,” he emphasized.
Maiwada disclosed that the NCS has already begun working with security agencies, including the Nigeria Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to track down those behind the fraudulent schemes. He assured that anyone found guilty of impersonating the service or defrauding applicants would face the full wrath of the law.
He also used the opportunity to educate Nigerians on how to verify official recruitment announcements. “Before acting on any recruitment information, members of the public should cross-check details on our official website — www.customs.gov.ng — or confirm through our verified social media handles. The NCS remains committed to transparency and will continue to protect citizens from fraud,” he said.
Meanwhile, several Nigerians have shared experiences of being approached by fake recruiters who demanded payments.
