The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has launched an investigation into the alleged extortion of N500,000 from a car buyer, Mohammad Dahiru Ahmad by one of its officers, SC Ibrahim Suleiman.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Ahmad was returning from Lagos when he ran into the rogue customs officer and his boys in Mokwa, Niger State.
He said the officer ordered his boys to seize the newly-bought vehicle despite presenting all his papers and customs duty certificate.
He alleged that despite all his pleas, Mr Suleiman demanded a bribe of N500,000 before releasing the car to him.
A statement issued by the spokesman of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Isah Suleiman, on Monday said the suspect has been handed over to the Assistant Provost Marshal, APM, Customs Police Unit, Kaduna.
The statement read,: “The Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi, has handed over the 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 to the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) Customs Police Unit, Kaduna.
“This was done at the Headquarters of the Unit in Kaduna today, Monday, February 26, 2024.
“This unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 22, 2024, as reported by the complainant.
“Upon hearing the alleged unfortunate incident, I directed the Customs Police Unit in the zone that is 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 as well.”
The Zonal Comptroller reassured that the leadership of the service under, “The Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team frowned at such unruly behaviour 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 said.
He explained that the findings of the investigation committee will be transmitted to NCS-HQ for further action by the Nigeria Customs Service Board, which has the statutory powers for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of all senior officers of the service”.
“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, and the outcome shall be made public to serve as a deterrent to others.
“We are deeply concerned, and we assure the general public that the matter will be treated with the deserved vigour, decisiveness, and transparency.
“The Comptroller assured the general public that the Unit will update the general public as the investigation progresses,” the statement added.
