The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, has come down heavily on 23 of its senior officers, sanctioning them for various offenses in the first two months of 2015.

According to the spokesman of the Service, Wale Adeniyi, 12 of the officers were suspended from service pending the outcome of investigations while 11 others are currently facing investigative panels set up by the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde  Abdullahi.

The spokesman further stated that those suspended include three Assistant Superintendent of Customs, ASPs,  implicated in a case of extortion at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, when some officers attached to the currency declaration desk at the airport allegedly extorted the sum of $13,000 from a passenger on Emirates Airline flight during his outward clearance for travel.

Adeniyi also explained that two other ASPs serving in Seme Command, were suspended from Service for alleged Rape, an offense allegedly committed in the Badagry area of Lagos.

The spokesman also stated that several mid-level management officers serving in the Ports were also affected in the recent disciplinary action as five Assistant Comptrollers of Customs serving in Tin Can Island Port were suspended for improper release of seized goods, while five others, including a Deputy Comptroller serving in Apapa Port have appeared at the investigative panel for negligence and improper examination of containers.

The remaining six affected officers appeared before the same panel for offenses ranging from hacking of passwords, falsification of academic certificates, negligence and general indiscipline.

Also commenting on the issue, the Customs boss Abdullahi stated that Service was disturbed over the frequency with which young officers recently recruited engage in various criminal acts.

The Customs boss warned that the agency will not tolerate such officers, noting that the machinery for investigations in the Service will be strengthened to punish erring officers.

The Comptroller General further stated that the Service will go after Officers operating illegal check points.

Acknowledging the persistent complaints that the NCS had received about the illegal activities of Customs personnel on some highways particularly around Kogi, Ondo and Edo State, the CGC assured motorists that special units of his office will conduct special surveillance operation to apprehend all erring officers.

He also warned that officers operating such illegal check points will be severely punished.