Customs Suspends 14 Officers

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has suspended 14 officers, who were allegedly involved in fraudulent release of vehicles and other goods at the Tin-Can Island and Apapa ports in Lagos.

Dr. K. C. Ike of the Service’s Port-Harcourt Medical Unit was also suspended for alleged absenteeism. According to a press statement signed by the Service Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Wale Adeniyi, on behalf of Comptroller-General, Inde Dikko Abdullahi, the salaries of the suspended officers have been stopped in efforts by Service to instil transparency into its operations.

The names of the other suspended officers, according to the statement, are J. T. Gidado, a Deputy Comptroller serving at Apapa Port; T. C. Odege, A. U. Ukonu, M. F. Shinkafi, L. G. Ibrahim, B. K. Lawal, and A. R. Halilu, all assistant comptrollers at Tin-Can Island Port. The rest are Chief Superintendent B. F. Waziri, and Senior Inspectors M. Idris, N. B. Harry, P. E. Elemi, S. Aliyu, and A. Mohammed.

“At this stage of our efforts to transform the Service, we cannot tolerate illegal conduct of the nature exhibited by those officers. I am disappointed that despite our efforts to turn-around the Service, some senior officers are still found wanting,” the Customs chief was quoted as saying. He added that the suspension of the officers is expected to send a signal to all personnel that the new Customs has no place for those who through their activities are considered to constitute “revenue and security risks” to the nation.