Lagos – The Nigeria Customs Service has launched disciplinary proceedings after a video that went viral on social media appeared to show a customs officer demanding a bribe from a motorist on the Lagos‑Benin Expressway.
Chief Superintendent Hussaini Abdullahi, spokesperson for the Federal Operations Unit, announced the action in a statement issued on Saturday from Lagos. Abdullahi said the footage, which was secretly recorded and subsequently circulated on platforms such as X, sparked widespread public outcry and prompted an immediate response from customs officials.
The video allegedly captures a customs officer stopping a motorist and demanding N200,000 (approximately US$ 260) as a condition for allowing the vehicle to proceed. In the same recording, the officer is seen appearing before senior customs officials, a clip that the service later posted on its official X account.
Following verification of the incident, the officer was transferred to the Customs Police Unit for a formal investigation. “Following the circulation of a viral video depicting unprofessional conduct, the service immediately activated disciplinary procedures,” Abdullahi said. He added that the Customs Service “will not tolerate conduct that damages its public image.”
Representing Unit Controller Gambo Aliyu, Abdullalia emphasized that any customs officer found guilty of ethical breaches will face sanctions without compromise. The statement did not disclose the officer’s name or rank, nor did it provide a timeline for the investigation’s completion.
Customs officials have reiterated their commitment to upholding integrity in the performance of duties on Nigeria’s highways. The Lagos‑Benin Expressway, a major corridor linking the commercial hub of Lagos with the neighboring Republic of Benin, has historically been a hotspot for reports of unlawful extraction of funds by officials. The service’s swift response to this particular incident reflects ongoing efforts to address such allegations and restore public confidence.
The Nigeria Customs Service has urged anyone with additional information or evidence related to the incident to contact its hotline. The outcome of the disciplinary process will be communicated publicly once the investigation is concluded.
The episode underscores the growing scrutiny of law‑enforcement agencies in Nigeria and the role of social media in exposing alleged misconduct. It also highlights the importance of transparent disciplinary mechanisms to deter future abuses of authority.
