The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again warned members of the public to beware of criminal elements that open fake face book account of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali with the intent of defrauding unsuspecting job seekers and those looking for overtime cargoes and contracts.
Customs spokesman, Wale Adeniyi who gave the warning at a recent media interactive session with the Customs boss said that the Col. Ali does not have a face book account and anyone dealing with him on that platform is dealing with a fake Customs CG.
He said both recruitment and auction of overtime cargo have remained suspended till further notice adding that the clarification became necessary as many people have called to get clarification on the auction of cars, containers and recruitment into the service.
“Customs is not presently recruiting and again auction of seized or overtime cargo remain suspended till further notice. This reminder is necessary to prevent people from being defrauded by criminal element who open fake face book account in the name of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali advertising job vacancies, auction and contract. The Customs CG does not have a face- book account,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi has said that the CG has been documented and has been given Service number as the number one officer in the Service.
This is even despite the fact the Ali is not wearing a Customs uniform.
Ali had while addressing reporters in Lagos as part of events to rap –up his one week tour of customs formations and meetings with stakeholders in Lagos said that he does not need a uniform to perform his job.
Ali said President Muhammadu Buhari had asked him to come and work in customs, not to wear uniforms but to get the job done properly and deliver on his mandate.
”I was not asked to come here to wear uniform. The President asked me to come and do a job. Getting the job done is more important to him than wearing uniform. I am here to work. Not wearing the uniform does not change my position as Controller General” he said.
Ali said his appointment was necessitated by the failure of younger officers who had held the position but failed to deliver as expected.
Reacting to a question on how aging will affect him and slow down his productivity in the course of serving as CGC, Ali said he isn’t tired of working as he went through rough times as a young man which toughened him for future challenges.
He said his men were doing well within the circumstances they found themselves and that not all customs officers are corrupt.
While urging Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari government, Ali likened the country to one that suffered dislocation which requires some painful experience to fix. He added that there are sacrifices that every Nigerian must endure for the lasting benefit that will accrue from the redemption efforts.
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