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.

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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.