Nigeria Customs Vows To Punish Officers Captured In Video Brutalizing Travelers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Seme Area Command, on Monday December 2, 2024 said it has commenced a thorough inquest into a viral video depicting some of its officers  allegedly subjecting some members of the public to dehumanizing treatments.

This Command vowed to bring to book those found culpable in the despicable act.

The Source reports that in the video clip which has been in circulation on the social media in the past 48 hours, some NCS operatives were captured  torturing and maltreating their victims strongly believed to be travelers from Lagos to the Ivorian Capital Abidjan .

A statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Hussaini Abdullahi, SCS, said the Comptroller, Kayode Kolade has directed that the officers involved be immediately withdrawn from duty posts.

According to the statement, they are to be comprehensively questioned with a view to paving the way for the  dispensation of adequate disciplinary measures against any of them found wanting.

Comptroller Kolade also  assured that the  outcome of the investigation will be made public at the end of the exercise.

“The Nigeria Customs Service NCS, Seme Area Command has commenced an investigation into an incident in a viral video where some officers attached to the Command were seen maltreating some public members

“The Command wishes to express its deepest empathy for the affected public members and wishes to equally condemn in strong terms such unethical conduct.

“It is essential to state that the action of these officers contradicts the value and operational standard of the Service.

“The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Comptroller Kayode Kolade, has directed that those officers be withdrawn and interrogated to facilitate decisive disciplinary measures against whoever is found culpable.

He further assured the general public that the outcome of the investigative panel would be made public when concluded.

While calling on stakeholders and the public plying the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor to go about their lawful activities, the CAC assured that the Command remains committed to creating a safe and conducive atmosphere for legitimate trade to thrive”, the statement reads.