The Nigeria Customs Service has debunked what it described as a misleading publication by a section of the media (News Express not included), concerning a supposed dismissal of 59 officers by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).

Customs Ag. Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday that the “misleading report quotes a circular dated 19th January 2017, signed by the Ag. Comptroller (Discipline).

“Obviously, the originator of this story came across an otherwise internal communication and without verification, went to press with a story that is capable of causing panic, fear with negative consequences on the morale of the workforce.”

The NCS further stated: “Sometimes last year, these officers were served with various disciplinary actions ranging from warning, retirement to dismissal for different offences.

“That the Public Relations unit then issued a press statement on the development which was widely reported by the print, electronic and online media.

“That as a routine practice of keeping officers and men of the Service informed, the Ag. Comptroller (Discipline) compiled the names of all officers affected by the disciplinary action for circulation to all customs formations across the country.

“The notification to serving officers and men is in keeping with the Service pre-emptive measures to deter any affected officer who may choose to hang around to engage in illegalities.

“It is therefore, unfortunate for a reporter to stumble on an internal communication of an organisation and rush to press without seeking for clarification.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Service has not dismissed any officer since the one duly reported last year. The story is false and represents a repetition of same story delivered as new.

“While the NCS will not hesitate to discipline erring officers, such action is usually painstakingly driven through all well established disciplinary procedures.

“Accordingly, all service personnel and the general public are advised to discountenance the misleading report.”