Customs parades officer over alleged ₦200,000 bribe demand on Lagos-Benin road

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced disciplinary proceedings against one of its officers following the circulation of a viral video allegedly showing the official demanding a ₦200,000 bribe from a motorist along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

The incident, which has sparked fresh scrutiny of enforcement practices on Nigeria’s highways, was captured in a covert recording reportedly made by the motorist using AI-powered Meta glasses.

In a video shared on the official X handle of the Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, the implicated officer was publicly paraded before being handed over to the Customs Police Unit at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Lagos, for further investigation and disciplinary action.

The Service described the conduct as a violation of its professional and ethical standards, stressing that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy against extortion, bribery, and abuse of office.

“Following the circulation of a viral video depicting unprofessional conduct by patrol officers, the Nigeria Customs Service initiated immediate disciplinary procedures in line with its zero-tolerance policy on misconduct,” the Service said in a voice-over accompanying the video.

Speaking during the parade, Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone A, CSC Hussaini Abdullahi, who represented the Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to internal accountability.

“The Service wishes to reiterate that officers found culpable of violating ethical standards will be subjected to appropriate sanctions without compromise,” Abdullahi said while formally handing over the officer to the head of the Customs Police Unit.

The now-viral recording reportedly showed the officer questioning the motorist over vehicle documentation and alleged outstanding customs clearance issues dating back to 2018.

According to the conversation captured in the video, the officer claimed the driver had unresolved payment obligations linked to vehicle importation records.

When the motorist explained that similar matters had previously been resolved through Customs offices in Apapa, the officer allegedly insisted that he report to the office to retrieve his seized vehicle key.

Moments later, when the motorist asked how the issue could be settled, the officer allegedly responded: “Go and bring 200,” widely interpreted as a demand for a ₦200,000 bribe.

The motorist was heard responding in disbelief: “I kill somebody?” before walking away.

It remains unclear whether any payment was eventually made or if the vehicle was later released.

The incident comes amid ongoing reforms by the Customs under Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi aimed at improving transparency, digital compliance, and public trust, while cracking down on unethical conduct among field officers.