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Customs Officer Faces Probe Over Viral Extortion Video

Published

4 months ago

May 9, 2026

Viral Extortion Video prompts Nigeria Customs Service to discipline an officer accused of demanding a bribe

The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced disciplinary proceedings against one of its officers following the circulation of a Viral Extortion Video allegedly showing the officer demanding a bribe from a motorist along the Lagos-Benin Expressway.

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The incident, which triggered widespread reactions online, was acknowledged by the NCS in a video posted on its official X handle on Friday.

The footage released by the service showed the unnamed officer being paraded before senior officials and subsequently handed over to the Customs Police Unit for further investigation and disciplinary action.

The Nigeria Customs Service described the incident as a serious case of unprofessional conduct and reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on misconduct among personnel.

“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,” a voice-over in the official video stated.

Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos, Hussaini Abdullahi, addressed the matter while formally handing over the officer to the Customs Police Unit.

According to Hussaini Abdullahi, the service would not tolerate ethical violations by officers.

“The service wishes to reiterate that officers found culpable of violating ethical standards will be subjected to appropriate sanctions without compromise,” he said.

The Viral Extortion Video reportedly captured the officer demanding as much as N200,000 from a motorist during an encounter over vehicle documentation and customs clearances.

The motorist was said to have secretly recorded the exchange using AI Meta glasses.

In the footage, the officer allegedly claimed that the motorist owed outstanding vehicle documentation payments dating back to 2018 and insisted the accumulated amount had become substantial.

The driver responded by stating that similar issues had previously been resolved by officers in Apapa.

The officer subsequently instructed the motorist to report to the office to retrieve his vehicle key.

When the motorist asked how the matter could be resolved, the officer allegedly replied, “Go and bring 200,” in what appeared to be a demand for a N200,000 bribe.

The motorist was heard responding, “I kill somebody?” before walking away from the scene.

Authorities have yet to clarify whether any payment was eventually made before the vehicle was released.

The incident has renewed public scrutiny over customs operations on Nigerian highways, particularly recurring allegations involving extortion, harassment and the interception of already-cleared goods.

Also read: Nigeria Customs Warns Against Dangerous Fake News Online

The Nigeria Customs Service has repeatedly pledged reforms and stricter enforcement of professional standards as part of efforts to improve public confidence in the agency.

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Opinion

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

4 hours ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Fiorentina Target Zirkzee in €5m Loan Deal

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”