The Nigeria Customs Service has confirmed that an Assistant Superintendent of the service, Nura Dalhatu, who promoted himself to the rank of a Deputy Comptroller General DCG, actually has traits of mental ailments and has been hospitalised.

Nura Dalhatu had resumed office at the headquarters of the service Monday morning, wearing the uniform rank of a DCG, a position that is far above his official rank, a development that caused a stir at the customs headquarters.

Spokesperson for Customs, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, said that when Mr. Dalhatu was questioned about his action, his reply indicated he was mentally challenged, which made the service to take him to a hospital for necessary tests and evaluation, where it was confirmed he is not mentally stable and was therefore hospitalised for treatment.

He said: “It was obvious that he was not in the right frame of mind from the question and the answer he gave.” He has been hospitalised for appropriate evaluation and treatment. Nigerians should rather show sympathy towards his condition and pray for his quick recovery rather than condemning or making mockery of him”

He also dismissed social media reports that Mr. Dalhatu wanted to take over the position of Comptroller-General, saying the development was too serious for any serious citizen to mock or use to further a sinister agenda.

The spokesperson however assured that additional information about the development would be provided to the members of the public as soon as possible.

It was gathered some men of the service who witnessed Dahiru’s strange action said he claimed he was acting on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to assume the office of Comptroller General of the service, as he was said to have walked straight to the office of the CG, Col. Hameed Alli, to take over the affairs of the service upon resumption of duties.

A source also said that while some of the personnel of the service who did not know him personally saluted him as a sign of respect, those who knew him were surprised about his actions.

The source had said: “We were all surprised when he walked in with the rank. I think something must definitely be wrong with him because it looks like a joke taken too far.”