The Nigeria Customs Service has taken disciplinary action against an officer alleged to have extorted the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) from a car buyer by name Muhammad Dahiru Ahmad along Mokwa-Jebba Road in Niger State.
The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Comptroller Dalha Chedi, handed over the officer to the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) Customs Police Unit, Kaduna, at the Headquarters of the Unit in Kaduna today, Monday, 26th February 2024.
While addressing newsmen, Comptroller Chedi confirmed that the suspected Officer involved in the unwholesome act is indeed an operative of the Unit deployed to the Mokwa Patrol Team in Niger State and the unfortunate incident occurred in the early hour of Thursday, 22nd February 2024, as reported by the complainant.
He said, “Upon hearing the alleged unfortunate incident, I directed the Customs Police Unit in the Zone responsible for enforcing discipline in the Service to apprehend the Officer and move him to the Unit’s Headquarters here in Kaduna for further interrogation. Also, the Complainant was invited to assist in the investigation”.
According to him, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his Management team frown at such unruly behavior, “as such, the disciplinary committee will be diligent and firm. In fact the Service is very pragmatic and practical in disciplinary cases and this one will not be an exception”.
He handed over the suspected Officer to the APM Customs Police Unit for further investigation.
“The Officer is hereby handed over to the APM Customs Police Unit for investigation and the findings of the investigation will be transmitted to NCS-HQ for further action by the Nigeria Customs Service Board as it is the only body that handles the Appointment, Promotions and Discipline of all Senior Officers of the Service.”
Comptroller Chedi condemned the act while also assuring that the outcome of the investigation would be made to the public to serve as a deterrent to others.
“This unprofessional and ungodly act will not be condoned. A thorough investigation has just commenced by this handing over to unravel the facts surrounding the allegation. The outcome shall be made public to serve as a deterrent to others”.
“We are deeply concerned and assure the general public that the matter will be treated with the deserved vigour, decisiveness and transparency,” he added.
He further urged the general public not to relent in rendering invaluable support to the service.
