EXPOSED: Two Customs officers filmed demanding bribes at Port Harcourt airport

A video showing two officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) demanding bribes from Nigerians has been sent to TheCable and uploaded on video-sharing website, YouTube.

Titled ‘Corruption Report Nigeria’ and published on Monday, the scene of the alleged crime is the Port Harcourt airport in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state.

A hidden camera with which the act was filmed showed two Customs officers seated on either side of a desk, while three people stood sideways, against the wall.

The two officers inspect some papers; and one of them, raising his voice at one of the three people in the room, says: “Where the thing now? E dey hard you to bring?”

After counting what looked like eight N1,000 notes, the officer returns it in annoyance, saying: “Take! Take!!!”

When the fellow refuses to collect the money, the officer squeezes it into his hands, and adds: “You’re not ready; anybody wey no wan cooperate, we go leave am.”

The officer eventually walks out; but with the recording going blank for a few seconds, it was unclear exactly how much he left with.

This is not the first time that incidents of bribery and corruption have been exposed in the Customs.

In December 2015, an undercover investigation by TheCable revealed series of sharp practices involving Customs officials, as well as other border and security agencies, clearing agents, and banks.