By MARTHA AGAS

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has opened a fresh complaints window for applicants screened out of its recent recruitment.

The move is sequel to concerns raised by candidates who appeared on the recruitment shortlist but were subsequently denied admission to the training college.

NCS’s Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS on Sept. 23 said it had concluded its recruitment process with the final stage in a two-weeks time at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.

The exercise covered candidates across the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate, and Customs Assistant cadres.

Maiwada said the Comptroller-General (C-G), Bashir Adeniyi, had directed a case-by-case reappraisal to ensure legitimate complaints were heard after meeting with some aggrieved applicants.

He, however, said that inclusion in the final shortlist was not an automatic guarantee of enlistment into the service as the exercise involved multiple stages of verification, including credential and document checks.

He added that the screening also involved physical and endurance assessments, medical examinations and age verification alongside drug screening and other mandatory requirements.

“During the screening, 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.

“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,” he said.

The NCS official said to provide an avenue for addressing genuine concerns, all candidates who feel aggrieved by the outcome of the screening should formally forward their details and complaints to helpdesk@customs.gov.ng

He urged all affected applicants to provide accurate information to facilitate the examination of their cases.

According to him, the initiative is to ensure that legitimate concerns receive appropriate attention while preserving the integrity, fairness and credibility of the recruitment process.

He said aggrieved candidates who wished to take advantage of the new window would be subjected to fresh screening.

He said where investigations establish criminal conduct, including certificate fraud or other offenses, the individuals involved would be referred for appropriate legal action and prosecution.

The review of complaints, he stressed, would not constitute a waiver of established standards or an automatic guarantee of admission into training.

“The service urges applicants and the general public to remain calm and utilise the designated channel for the submission of complaints.

“We want to assure all concerned that the review will be guided by established procedures and the need to uphold the integrity of the service.

“The NCS, under the leadership of C-G Bashir Adeniyi and its management members reaffirms its commitment to a credible, transparent and accountable recruitment process.

“The service remains open to genuine complaints from affected applicants, but will not compromise the standards required of personnel entrusted with national security, border protection, revenue collection and public safety responsibilities,” he said.

NAN recalls that the NCS had announced an annual recruitment cycle and released the final list of 3,852 successful candidates for its 2024/2025 recruitment on Aug. 4.

The NCS received 573,680 applications for 3,852 positions, with 1,275 candidates selected for the Superintendent Cadre, 367 for the Inspectorate Cadre and 2,210 for the Customs Assistant Cadre. (NAN)