The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Kaduna Zone B Customs has commenced the probing of one of its officers alleged to have been involved in extortion.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Kaduna Zone B, Superintendent of Customs, Mr. Idaho Sulaiman on Monday.
According to the statement, the Comptroller of FOU Zone B, Dalha Wada Chedi said the Service has handed over the officer alleged to have extorted the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000.00) from a car buyer named Muhammad Dahiru Ahmad along Mokwa-Jebba Road in Niger State to the Assistant Provost Marshal (APM) Customs Police Unit, Kaduna.
It was stated that the aforementioned was carried out at the Headquarters of the Unit in Kaduna on Monday.
While addressing journalists on the situation in the Unit building, Comptroller Chedi “confirmed that the suspected Officer involved in this unwholesome act is indeed an operative of the Unit deployed to Mokwa Patrol Team in Niger State and this unfortunate incident occurred in the early hour of Thursday 22nd February 2024 as reported by the complainant.”
He added: “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.”
Chedi further stated the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the other hierarchies desist such behaviour in the Service.
His words: “The Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his Management team frowned 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 emphasized that the suspected officer has been moved to the APM Customs Police Unit for further investigation.
“The Officer is hereby handed over to the APM Customs Police Unit for discreet 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.”
He maintained that such unprofessional and ungodly act will not be condoned, stressing that thorough investigation has started to reveal more facts surrounding the allegation.
He also disclosed that the “outcome shall be made public to serve as a deterrent to others” and “assured the general public that the matter will be treated with the deserved vigour, decisiveness and transparency.”
The Comptroller reiterated that the Unit will continue to update the public as the investigation progresses.
He also expressed gratitude to the public for their support – and urged them ‘not to relent in rendering such invaluable support.’
