Follow Us on Google
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) over alleged smuggling activities and brutality of citizens by some of its personnel.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise and Defence to investigate the operations of the NCS across Nigerian borders with a specific focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity, and incidents of brutality.
The joint panel is also to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs personnel and ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.
The Committee was also mandated to recommend appropriate measures to enhance oversight, accountability, and efficiency within the NCS to restore public trust in the service and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and national security interests.
The joint panel is to report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative actions.
This was sequel to the adoption of a motion by a member representing Badagry federal constituency of Lagos State, Oluwaseun Whingan.
Whingan, in his lead debate, noted that a report by an online news portal in November exposed the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars carrying 6,500,000kg of rice through Badagry under the watch of Customs officers.
Other News
“Videos published by investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, provided evidence of Customs officers’ complicity in these illegal activities. Reports of brutality have emerged, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme Expressway on December 1, 2024, where officers from the Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with soldiers, violently assaulted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik.
“The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, leading to threats against their lives and a standoff that required intervention from residents and police.
“Smuggling has severe economic consequences, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenue, promoting unfair trade practices, and flooding markets with substandard and potentially harmful products.”
Whingan, while stating that the integrity of the NCS is essential for securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and upholding the economic and social well-being of the nation, noted that the actions of some officers in the Service violates its mandate.
“The actions of some officers within the Nigerian Customs Service contravene its core mandate, erode public trust and raise concerns about the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.
“Despite the presence of multiple checkpoints during the day, particularly in Badagry and other border communities in the nation, economic activities and legitimate trade are paralysed by excessive scrutiny and extortion by Customs officers and other law enforcement personnel.
“At night, these same officers reportedly enable or turn a blind eye to rampant smuggling activities, undermining public trust and perpetuating economic hardship on small businesses, such as rice farmers and poultry producers who are unable to compete with the influx of contraband goods, leading to job losses and impoverishment.
“The complicity of customs officers in smuggling operations and the use of violence to intimidate civilians pose significant risks to national security, economic stability, and the rule of law,” he stated.
