The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated an investigation into an unsettling incident that unfolded at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, involving an officer soliciting a N5,000 bribe from a passenger. Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer, affirmed the commencement of the investigation in a statement released on Tuesday in Lagos. Maiwada emphasized the NCS’s commitment to ensuring full accountability, acknowledging the legitimate concerns raised by the public in response to the incident.
Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that the episode occurred at the New Terminal, within the departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, and was documented on video by the affected passenger. The footage exposes the inappropriate solicitation of N5,000 in exchange for expedited processing of customs procedures. Maiwada unequivocally confirmed that the implicated officer is a bona fide member of the Nigeria Customs Service, duly assigned to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Area Command.
Expressing strong disapproval, Maiwada condemned the unprofessional conduct and underscored the NCS’s steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism. He affirmed that a comprehensive investigation is already underway to meticulously scrutinize the incident, with a pledge to take appropriate actions in response. Such misconduct, he stressed, starkly contradicts the core values of the NCS, and the service is resolute in maintaining a customs operation that is transparent and accountable.
Maiwada urged passengers and the public to promptly report any instances of misconduct or corruption, highlighting the pivotal role of these reports in safeguarding the integrity of the service and ensuring that officers adhere to the highest ethical standards. He emphasized the NCS’s unwavering dedication to nurturing a culture of transparency and accountability, assuring the public of timely communication of the investigation’s outcome.
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