Extortion: Customs hands over officer to Service Police

By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Nigeria Custom Service, (NCS) Federal Operation Unit Zone “B” Kaduna has handed over an Officer to the Service Police, following an alleged extortion of N500,000 from a car buyer.

The Comptroller Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Dalha Wada Chedi, handed over the officer to the Customs police for proper investigation, said any act of indiscipline from officers will not be condoned.

In a statement made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on behalf of the Comptroller, Superintendent of Customs, FOU Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Isah Sulaiman, confirm that the suspected Officer in question is an operative of the Unit deployed to Mokwa Patrol Team in Niger State, adding that the car buyer, identified as Muhammad Dahiru Ahmad was allegedly extorted along the Niger State route.

Isah further clarified that the unfortunate incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, February 22, 2024 as reported by the complainant.

He said, “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 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.

“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.

“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 statement read in part.

The Comptroller however assured the public that the Unit would provide an update as the investigation progresses.

“In addition, the Unit will continue to update the public as the investigation progresses while appreciating the understanding and usual support of the public,” Isah said.