These are indeed difficult times for officers and men of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, following the voluntary retirement of five Deputy Comptrollers-General, and 35 other officers last week, there are indications that another 400 officers will soon leave the service for various reasons ranging from corruption, insubordination, indiscipline to absenteeism.
The Vanguard gathered that some of the officers pencilled down for next round of retirement were said to have flouted re-deployment directives as well as influenced their promotion even when they were not due to be promoted.
Further findings reveal that, some of these officers refused to report at their new postings and instead obtained notes from legislators, who lobbied customs management to stop such re-deployment.
Recall, the alleged voluntary retirement of five Deputy Comptrollers-General last week, was unprecedented in the history of the service.
The retirement letter read in part: “We, the under listed officers currently on the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General met today, October 29, and unanimously agreed to voluntarily retire from the service of the Nigerian Customs Service having risen to the privileged rank of Deputy Comptroller-General.
“We thank the President for giving us the opportunity to serve our great nation.”