Customs

Again, Smugglers kill Customs officer in Ogun

—-another officer missing.

Eyewitness reporter

In what appeared to be premeditated attacks by the dare-devil smugglers on the roving convoy of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, another officer from the Zone A of the Federal Operations Unit of the service was killed while another may have been abducted by the smugglers this Tuesday in Ogun state.

An eyewitness account revealed that the roving team of the officers of the FOU Zone A of the NCS has arrived at Fagbohun, a community in Idogo/Ipaja, Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.

It was further gathered that the suspected smugglers, upon sighting the vehicle conveying the officers, reportedly opened fire on them.

In the ensuing melee, it was reported that two officers went missing from the scene.

However, the lifeless body of one of the missing officers was reportedly found in a river near Ajegun Iyaloosa village.

The service rifle of the killed officer was taken away by the suspects while the other officer is still being searched for as at the time of this report.

Confirming the incident in a statement, the Public Relations Officer of the FOU in Zone A, Theophilus Duniya, said some suspects have been arrested.

“The attacked officers are from FOU. One is confirmed dead, while the other one is still missing.

“It happened on Tuesday in the afternoon. They were on information patrol when they were attacked. It was an unprovoked attack that ended the life of one and the other one is still missing.

“The one that was found dead, his rifle was missing; but we can’t say for the other one that is still missing until we get to the end of it.

“At the moment, we have some suspects in custody in relation to that murder.”

The Customs appealed to Nigerians to desist from attacking customs officers who are on their lawful duties.

He added: “The message to the masses has always been that these officers are on lawful duty. They didn’t assign themselves.

” They are officers of the Federal Republic, and what the Federal Government said through our laws is what they are out to enforce.

“They are not there to fight anybody, they are not there of their own will. They are taken there to enforce the government fiscal policies.

“Anywhere customs officers are seen, if they cannot assist them to carry out their operations, they should not attack them.

“Because these people have families. They come from villages and communities as well and they are human beings. They also deserve a right to live.”

Duniya, however, noted that the identities of the two officers cannot be released to the public domain yet, noting that their families must be contacted officially.

“I cannot release their identities to you because at the moment, I’m not sure if their families have been contacted. So we need to reach out to their families officially before we go to the press,” he maintained.

The Ogun state border communities have become a dangerous ground for the patrol team of the FOU of the Customs in recent times.

This latest assault was the second in a few days after seven people were killed in a gunfight between operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) and smugglers in Ogun State.

The incident occurred in Kobape village, along Abeokuta – Sagamu expressway in Obafemi – Owode local government area of Ogun state.

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Customs

Exclusive! Mass retirement hits Customs as 549 officers bow out of service in 2023

CGC, Ali

Break down; DCG( I), ACG (6),Comptrollers(30), DC(68) AC (110),CSC(133),SC (52),DSC(79) ,ASC1(58) ,ASC11(11),CA1(1)

Eyewitness reporter

A whirlwind of retirement has hit the Nigeria Customs Service as 549 officers of different cadres have been penciled down for statutory retirement in 2023,

In a circular no HRD/2022/13 sighted by our reporter, the breakdown of the affected officers shows that 1 DCG, 6 ACG, 30 Comptrollers, 68 Deputy Comptrollers, 110 Assistant Comptrollers, 133 Chief Superintendent of Customs, 52 Superintendent of Customs, 79 Deputy Superintendents, 58 Assistant Superintendent of Customs1, 11 Assistant Superintendent of CustomsII and 1 Customs AssistantI, were due for retirement in 2023.

According to the circular dated May 10th, 2022 with reference number NCS/ADM/EST/098/S.1 and signed by OM Agbara, Comptroller of Establishment for AG. Deputy Comptroller-General (HDR), the affected officers, who are being shipped out of the service on account of age or number of years in the service, are advised to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of their retirement.

The circular titled list of Officers/men for statutory retirement in the year 2023” reads

”I am directed to forward the attached list on the above subject matter as pre-retirement notice to all affected officers.

” ln accordance with the Public service Rule (PSR) No. 100238 and Federal Government circular No.63216/S.i/X/T; CR 1,/2OO1/5 of 2O/O3/2OOl, all affected officers due for retirement in 2023 are to disengage from the active service and proceed on three (3)months pre-retirement leave, three months to the effective date of retirement.

” AII affected officers are to ensure compliance and forward their three months pre-retirement notice to the Comptroller-General

accordingly.

” Any observed error, omission, or legitimate complaints should be forwarded to the office of the Comptroller General of Customs through the Ag. Deputy Comptroller-General (HRD) on or before 30th June 2022.

” Zonal Coordinators, Area Controllers, and Unit Heads are requested to make the list available for circulation to all the affected officers in their respective Zones, Areas, and Units

Customs

Customs High Command interdicts officers over assault on Gov. Okonwa’s aide

Eyewitness reporter

The management of the Nigeria Customs Service has reacted to the viral video where a member of the roving team of the FOU Zone ‘C’ assaulted an unarmed civilian.

In the press statement signed by Timi Bomodi, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, the Customs High Command expressed outrage over the conduct of its officer and said the offending officer and other members of his team have been withdrawn from their patrol duties and placed under administrative investigation.

“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video making the rounds on social media.

“In it, one of our officers was recorded assaulting an unarmed civilian.

“This action took place on the Benin – Agbor expressway on Saturday the 7th of May 2022 at about 5.00 pm.

“This officer and other members of that team from FOU Zone ‘C’ have since been withdrawn from patrol duties and are currently under administrative investigation at the NCS Zonal Headquarters Zone ‘C’ Port Harcourt.

“Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been trained to carry out their duties with dignity and respect, and are expected to display decorum in all their conduct at all times.

“Where they fail to carry out their brief as assigned, appropriate sanctions are applied to enforce discipline.

” The NCS would like to reassure the general public of its commitment to the welfare and safety of all citizens and frowns seriously at any act by its personnel capable of misrepresenting its corporate image.

“We ask that all law-abiding persons go about their activities without fear of intimidation or harassment as we work assiduously to bring closure to this unwholesome incident” the statement concluded.

In the viral video which has sparked public outrage, a Customs Officer attached to the roving team of the Custom’s FOU Zone C, was seen slapping a civilian identified as Samson Nwachukwu, an aide to the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okonwa, along Benin/ Agbor expressway Saturday, May 7th, 2022.

Customs

Drama as Customs officer slaps Gov Okowa’s aide along Benin/Agbor expressway (Video)

A mild drama ensured Saturday along Benin/ Agbor Expressway when a member of the Customs’ patrol team assaulted the Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Samson Nwachukwu, for an undisclosed reason

A Human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, shared the video of the moment the customs officer slapped Mr. Samson Nwachukwu along the Benin/Agbor Expressway in the presence of his colleague and a military officer.