Agents are investigating Customs over the smuggling allegations

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate the alleged smuggling activities of personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The House decided in plenary session following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mr. Oluwaseun Whingan.

Justifying the need to support the motion, the Lagos lawmaker said a report by an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, on November 18, 2024, “revealed the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars transporting 6,500,000kg of rice through Badagry under the watch Customs. officers.”

He added: “Videos published by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo provided evidence of the complicity of customs officials in these illegal activities.”

He continued: “There have been reports of brutality, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme highway on December 1, 2024, where officers of the Nigerian Customs Service, in collaboration with soldiers, violently attacked two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik .

“The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, which led to threats to their lives and a standoff that required the intervention of residents and the police.

“Smuggling has serious economic consequences, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenue, promoting unfair trade practices and flooding markets with substandard and potentially harmful products.

“The actions of some officers within the Nigerian Customs Service violate its core mandate, erode public trust and raise concerns about the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.”

Whingan added: “Despite the presence of several checkpoints during the day, particularly in Badagry and other border communities in the nation, economic activities and legitimate trade are crippled by excessive control and extortion by customs officers and other members of the law enforcement.

“At night, the same officers appear to be enabling or turning a blind eye to rampant smuggling activities, undermining public confidence and perpetuating economic hardship for small businesses such as rice farmers and poultry producers who cannot compete with the influx of products of smuggling, leading to job losses and impoverishment.

“The complicity of customs officers in smuggling operations and the use of violence to intimidate civilians poses significant risks to national security, economic stability and the rule of law.”

He argued that the integrity of the Nigerian Customs Service is essential to securing Nigeria’s borders, facilitating legitimate trade and maintaining the nation’s economic and social well-being.

With the passage of the motion, the House mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise and Defense to investigate the operations and activities of the Nigerian Customs Service across Nigeria’s borders, “With particular focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity and incidents of brutality. and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.”

The House further directed the Committee on Defense and Customs and Excise to examine the role of military personnel attached to customs personnel and ensure that their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

The committees were also tasked to recommend appropriate measures to enhance oversight, accountability and efficiency within the Nigeria Customs Service to restore public confidence and protect Nigeria’s economic and national security interests.