Abuja hotel: Customs debunk allegation of guests harassment .finds bullet proof cars in hotel premises

Abuja hotel: Customs debunk allegation of guests harassment

.finds bullet proof cars in hotel premises

By Udeme Clement

The National Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, DC Joseph Attah has described as false and misleading the allegation against Customs operatives raiding a hotel in Abuja and causing discomfort for guests.

He said this in a press statement made available to Financial Business.

His explanation,  “The attention of  NCS has been drawn to misinformation concerning visit of our operatives to an Abuja hotel to remove suspected smuggled vehicles.

“Our Operatives, relying on intelligence that owners of some exotic cars, including bullet proof vehicles without duty payment quickly removed their vehicles from a car mart and took same to Frazier hotel in Abuja”.

He informed, “Our operatives visited the facility and engaged the manager professionally.

“On arrival at the hotel, our operatives interacted with the manager and eventually left with four vehicles, leaving six behind, while expecting the manager to provide the keys to the cars left behind”.

He disclosed,  “The manager that morning gave a written undertaking to produce Customs with vehicles duty payment documents to support his claim that the cars were not smuggled.

“We assured him of prompt release of the vehicles, as soon as evidence of appropriate duty payments are presented.”

He frowned, “Unfortunately, we woke up to mischievous misrepresentation of an otherwise professional engagement with the manager that had nothing to do with the guests in the hotel.

“Some even went as far as saying that the operatives went from room to room, waking up guests to come out for vehicles verification.  NCS did not do such thing and has no intention to start raiding hotels”.

DC Attah pointed out, “Our operatives never infringed on the rights and comfort of guests in the hotel”.

His words, “While advising Nigerians to be wary of some social media posts, we urge members of the public to disregard such falsehood, as NCS will continue to work in the interest of Nigerians”.