Nigeria Customs Clarifies Viral Shooting Video, Says Incident Occurred in 2019, Officers Dismissed
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has responded to a video circulating on social media that captures a shooting incident involving some of its operatives, stating that the event occurred on Sunday, February 17, 2019.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service clarified that the incident is not a recent, as portrayed by some online platforms.
“Following the ugly occurrence at the Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State, the Service took immediate steps to address the situation in line with its internal procedures. A public statement was issued at the time, and a disciplinary panel was established to investigate the matter thoroughly. At the end of the process, appropriate sanctions were applied, including the dismissal of the officers found culpable.
“It is pertinent to reiterate that the NCS is a statutory government agency guided by rules of engagement and, therefore, will not condone any misconduct from its personnel. While the video may have resurfaced unexpectedly, the issue had been conclusively addressed, and justice was served in accordance with the Service’s regulations,” the statement noted.
The Service acknowledged the concerns expressed by the public regarding the resurfaced video; however, it urged citizens to avoid spreading misleading content and instead seek accurate information through official NCS channels.
It expressed gratitude for the vigilance and feedback of Nigerians and reaffirmed its commitment to providing professional, accountable service while upholding the principles of integrity and respect for human dignity.
The NCS affirmed that under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team, the Service will continue to uphold transparency and respect for the rule of law.
This, it said, is evident in the strategic measures implemented to strengthen internal controls and capacity building through targeted training programs for personnel.
“These efforts underscore the Service’s resolve to build trust, ensure integrity, and sustain mutually rewarding partnerships with the public,” the statement added.
