THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in reaction to a viral video showing some of its personnel entangled in fisticuffs with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), has expressed regret over the conduct of the officers and commenced investigation into the unwholesome act.
The Service said that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against the erring officers to forestall a recurrence of such ignoble conduct in future.
CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of Customs, disclosed this in a statement, confirming that the incident occurred on Friday, 24 May at AYA Roundabout, Abuja VIO Office.
He further stated that: “The officers involved in this regrettable incident are NCS personnel attached to the Customs Mechanical Unit in Karu Barracks, Abuja.
“Consequently, the NCS, in the expression of its deepest concern and empathy for those affected by the regrettable incident, has unequivocally dissociated itself from the officers’ actions.
“Their condemnable behaviour, which appears to be self-motivated, is under thorough investigation, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to forestall future occurrences“, the NPRO said.
Maiwada noted that, “It is essential to state that this incident contradicts the values and operational standards of the NCS. 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”.
Continuing, the Customs spokesman stated that “NCS, under the leadership of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his Management Team, strongly condemns such conduct and does not tolerate any actions that jeopardize 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”.
Eighteen-Eleven Media