Nigeria Customs Service Investigates Viral Video of Officers Fighting with VIO Personnel

Please accept cookies to access this content

The Nigeria Customs Service has reacted to a viral video of some of its officers fighting with Vehicle Inspection Officers VIO at the AYA Roundabout, Abuja VIO Office on Friday, May 24.

The video which went viral on Tuesday, May 28, showed Customs officers engaging the VIO officers in a physical altercation at the VIO premises. Gunshots also rented the air intermittently.

Police officers later stormed the premises and tried to calm the situation.

In a statement released, the National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, condemned the incident and said it is under investigation after which disciplinary measures will be taken to prevent future occurrences.

The statement read

“Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media showing some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in a confrontation with Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).

The NCS acknowledges that the event occurred on Friday, May 24 2024, at AYA Roundabout, Abuja VIO Office. The officers involved in this regrettable incident are NCS personnel attached to the Customs Mechanical Unit in Karu Barracks, Abuja.

The Service wishes to express its deepest concern and empathy for those affected by this regrettable incident. Furthermore, the NCS unequivocally dissociate itself from the actions of these officers.

Their condemned behaviour, which appears to be self-motivated, is under thorough investigation, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken to forestall future occurrences.

It is essential to state that this incident contradicts the values and operational standards of the NCS. Such behaviour undermines one of the key policy thrusts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, which is to foster collaboration with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties.”