How custom officers demanded N500,000 bribe from me - Importer

- A businessman has alleged that some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service demanded bribe from him

- The businessman said the officers asked him to give them N500,000 before they could release a gas tank he imported

- He said he was transporting the gas tank from Lagos to Ughelli in Delta state when the incident occurred

A Delta state-based businessman has accused officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of bribery and corruption.

Johnny Esike said the officials stationed at Ekiadolor axis of Benin-Ore Expressway impounded a gas tank he imported into the country.

Esike, the managing director of Sykes Energiprojects Limited said, the officials demanded N500,000 as bribe for the release of his gas tank.

He said: “When I demanded to know why the tank was seized, they told us that the tank was undervalued in Lagos and they were now demanding N500,000 as bribe to release it to us. I refuse to part with that kind of money and they have been holding the tank since last week.”

He also said he had cleared the gas tank measuring 45 cubic meter capacity and was transporting it to Ughelli, Delta state from Lagos when the customs operatives impounded it.

Confirming the claims by the business, an NCS official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the tank was impounded.

The official however denied claims that the operatives of NCS demanded bribe from the businessman.

“It is totally false. But you can contact the Owerri head office for more clarifications on the tank. He (businessman) needs to go and pay for the proper valuation of the tank," the official said.

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NAIJ.com earlier reported that Boko Haram terrorists attacks in the north eastern part of Nigeria has left 26 customs officers dead.

The officers were reportedly killed by the insurgents who operated in the borders of the country.

The economic borders in the northeastern region have also been closed, with only one functioning optimally.

Boko Haram abducted my husband and the Gov't forgot about him - on NAIJ.com TV