Customs rejects 397 applicants over drug abuse, other issues

The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that issues relating to substance abuse (excluding cigarettes and alcohol), physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation were identified among 397 applicants during the screening exercise of its recently concluded recruitment process.

The service added that some candidates were also rejected due to identified irregularities during the screening exercise.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, announced this in a statement recently.

“During the screening exercise, issues relating to substance abuse (cigarettes and alcohol exclusive), physical fitness, medical records, age and submitted documentation were identified among 397 applicants. Some candidates were also rejected due to identified irregularities in their selection process during the screening exercise,” Maiwada stated.

He stressed that these findings underscore the service’s commitment to upholding established recruitment standards and ensuring that only candidates who satisfy all prescribed requirements are considered for enlistment into the service.

Maiwada, however, emphasised that the service acknowledged complaints from some applicants who participated in the recent recruitment exercise.

According to him, these candidates were among those screened out and subsequently not allowed to proceed to the training college despite appearing on the recruitment shortlist.

The NCS spokesperson acknowledged the concerns raised by affected applicants, assuring the public that Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi had, after meeting some aggrieved applicants, directed a case-by-case review to ensure that genuine complaints were addressed.

He explained that being named on the final shortlist does not necessarily guarantee recruitment into the service.

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“Recruitment into the NCS involves multiple stages of verification, including credential and document checks, physical and endurance assessments, medical examinations and age verification, drug screening and other mandatory requirements,” he said.

Maiwada reiterated that, to provide an avenue for addressing genuine concerns, the service urges all candidates who feel aggrieved by the outcome of the screening exercise to formally forward their details and complaints to its help desk.

He urged affected applicants to submit accurate information to aid the review of their cases, noting that the exercise aims to address genuine grievances appropriately while upholding the integrity, fairness and credibility of the recruitment process.

He stated that aggrieved candidates seeking to benefit from the new review window would undergo fresh screening, warning that those found culpable of criminal acts, including certificate forgery and other offences, would be referred to the appropriate authorities for legal action and prosecution.

Maiwada stressed that reviewing the complaints would not amount to relaxing established standards or guarantee automatic admission into training.

He appealed to applicants and the public to remain calm and submit their complaints through the designated channel, assuring them that the review would follow established procedures and uphold the integrity of the service.

Maiwada pointed out that the NCS, under the leadership of CGC Adewale Adeniyi and its management members, reaffirms its commitment to a credible, transparent and accountable recruitment process.

He noted that while the service remains open to genuine complaints from affected applicants, it will not compromise the standards required of personnel entrusted with national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety responsibilities.