The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has sent message of warning to its officers to desist from any form of unruly behaviour.
This was revealed in a signed statement made available by the spokesperson of the service, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi in Abuja.
This came as a reaction to a video of a half-clad person on social media, who claimed to be an officer of the service and that he had apprehended trucks conveying premium motor spirit through the border.
The image maker of the service all also said following preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the person in the said video was truly an officer connected to the Federal Operations Unit Zone D in Adamawa State.
He also said all officers of the service were expected to comply with dress code.
He added that the officers of the service should not only be in uniform when they’re on duty, but carry about their name tags for easy recognition.
“This incident occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Malabo Checkpoint on Belel Road in Adamawa.
“However, It is important to note that 55 kilometres separate this location from the nearest border.
“Meanwhile, between the place where this incident occurred and the border, there are fully operational petrol stations.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the drivers on these trucks were in possession of duly signed product distribution sheets for consignments allocated by PPMC for filling stations within that vicinity.
“As vehicles in transit, they are considered still to be well within city limits and therefore, can neither be accused of nor arrested for transporting goods across the border,’’ he said.
The mouthpiece of the service also said that the action of the officer triggered his immediate withdrawal by the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D’, who ordered him to be detained pending medical examination.
He revealed that the service seriously condemned any action that riots against the economic wellbeing of the country, affirming that the “battle with smuggling has been unequivocal and unyielding.’’
The spokesperson also gave an assurance to members of the public that officers of the service would be committed at securing the borders.
“We ask for your understanding in this endeavour as we seek your prayers for those whose health and well-being may have been compromised by stress, while carrying out their onerous assignment,” he said.