Customs Officers Reject N1.5M Bribe, Intercept 11,270 Litres of Petrol

In a display of integrity and dedication to duty, officers of the Nigeria Customs Service Sokoto/Zamfara Command have rejected a bribe of N1.5 million offered by suspects caught vandalizing railway tracks. The officers also intercepted a truck containing 11,270 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and arrested three suspects in connection with the crime.

According to a statement by the command, the officers on June 8 intercepted a truck containing vandalized railway tracks and arrested three suspects. The suspects offered a bribe of N1.5 million, with an advance cash offer of N300,000, to secure their release. However, the officers chose to detain them at the command headquarters instead.

The suspects, who claimed to have been contracted to transport the railway tracks, could not provide evidence from the Federal Ministry of Transport to validate their claim. The command subsequently handed them over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Sokoto Command for further investigation and prosecution.

In a related development, the command intercepted 11,270 litres of PMS and auctioned it to the public at N180 per litre. The Comptroller of Customs, Kamal Muhammed, restated the service's commitment to protecting Nigeria's economic interest with dedication and integrity.

Muhammed commended the officers for their professionalism and integrity, saying that the service would continue to work tirelessly to prevent smuggling and other economic crimes. He also urged the public to support the service in its efforts to safeguard the nation's economy.

The rejection of the bribe and the interception of the PMS are a testament to the customs service's commitment to fighting corruption and economic crimes. The service has been at the forefront of the federal government's efforts to secure the nation's borders and prevent the smuggling of goods.

The Nigeria Customs Service has consistently demonstrated its resolve to combat corruption and economic crimes, and this latest development is a clear indication of its unwavering commitment to this cause.