The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has clarified the circumstances surrounding a viral video currently circulating on social media, which depicts a tragic shooting incident involving some of its operatives.
Contrary to widespread assumptions, the Service confirmed that the incident occurred over six years ago, specifically on Sunday, 17 February 2019, and not recently as some platforms have alleged.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, by the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS noted that it had previously addressed the matter and taken decisive action against the erring personnel.
“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video currently circulating on social media, which captures a tragic shooting incident involving some operatives of the Service,” the statement began.
“The NCS wishes to categorically state that the incident in question occurred on Sunday, 17 February 2019, and not a recent development, as portrayed by some online platforms,” Maiwada clarified.
The shooting, which occurred at the Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State, had sparked outrage at the time, prompting the Customs Service to initiate a thorough internal investigation.
“Following the ugly occurrence, 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,” the Customs spokesperson noted.
According to the statement, the disciplinary process led to the dismissal of officers found culpable, reflecting the Service’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct.
“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,” the statement emphasized.
“While the video may have resurfaced unexpectedly, the issue had been conclusively addressed, and justice was served in accordance with the Service’s regulations,” it added.
The Customs Service also acknowledged public concern over the video but urged Nigerians to avoid the spread of outdated or misleading content.
“We urge citizens to avoid spreading misleading content and instead seek accurate information through NCS official channels,” Maiwada advised.
“We deeply value the vigilance and feedback of Nigerians and reaffirm our commitment to delivering professional, accountable service while upholding the principles of integrity and respect for human dignity.”
The statement further highlighted ongoing reforms under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, aimed at ensuring greater transparency and professionalism within the Service.
“This is evident in the strategic measures implemented to strengthen internal controls and capacity building through targeted training programs for personnel,” Maiwada said.
