Customs men confronting VIO in viral video’ll be disciplined if found culpable—Spokesman

Maureen Aguta

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dissociated itself from the condemned behavior of some of its men who in a viral video circulating online were confronting Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).

A statement on Tuesday by the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, titled Re: Viral Video of Customs Officer in Confrontation with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), noted that the officers involved in this regrettable incident are NCS personnel attached to the Customs Mechanical Unit in Karu Barracks, Abuja, even as he expressed the “deepest concern and empathy for those affected by this regrettable incident.”

He said, “Furthermore, the NCS unequivocally dissociate itself from the actions of these officers. Their condemned behaviour, which appears to be self-motivated, is under thorough investigation, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to forestall future occurrences.”

Maiwada, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, also said that the incident contradicts the values and operational standards of the Nigeria Customs Service, saying such behaviour undermines one of the key policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which is to foster collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties.

He added that the NCS, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team, strongly condemns such conduct and does not tolerate any actions that jeopardise the commitment to professionalism and inter-agency cooperation. The Service remains steadfast in its mission to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling to support a more robust and secure economy for all Nigerians.