Nigerian Customs Responds to Clash Between Staff and VIO Operatives in Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service denounced the altercation that broke out in Abuja between its agents and those of the Vehicle Inspection Officers.

This was revealed in a statement made on Tuesday in Abuja by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer for NCS.

Remember how less than a week ago, at the AYA roundabout, Customs officials and VIO agents got into a free-for-all brawl captured on camera?

In response to the event, Maiwada stated that the service has started its inquiry.

“A video that has been making the rounds on social media depicts some Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers fighting with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).”

The NCS confirms that the incident took place at the Abuja VIO Office, AYA Roundabout, on Friday, May 24, 2024.

The Customs Mechanical Unit in Karu Barracks, Abuja, is home to NCS personnel who are the officials engaged in this unfortunate occurrence.

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“The service would like to convey its sincere sympathies and concerns to everyone impacted by this unfortunate event. Moreover, the NCS expressly distances itself from the conduct of these officers.

Their deplorable actions, which seem to be driven by self-interest, are being thoroughly investigated, and suitable disciplinary actions will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.

It is imperative to declare that this incidence is in opposition to the NCS’s operational standards and ideals.

One of the main policy tenets of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which is to promote cooperation with other security agencies and stakeholders in order to guarantee the safety and security of Nigerians and their property, is undermined by such behaviour.

“The NCS, led by CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team, vehemently denounces this kind of behaviour and will not put its dedication to professionalism and interagency collaboration at risk in any way.

In order to create a more robust and secure economy for all Nigerians, the Service is unwavering in its goal to produce income, facilitate trade, and reduce smuggling, according to the statement.