House of Reps Probe Customs on Smuggling, Rights Violations

December 12, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

The House of Representatives has instructed its Committees on Customs and Excise, along with Defence, to conduct a joint investigation into the operations and activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the nation’s borders, following allegations of complicity in smuggling and involvement in acts of brutality against Nigerians.

with an additional mandate for the Committees on Defence and Customs and Excise, as issued on Wednesday during a plenary session, to inspect the duties of military personnel tasked with Customs patrols, ensuring their activities comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

Rep. Sesi Whingan, after the decision at plenary, followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance.

Rep. Whingan moved his motion, pointing out that Section 4(b, e, and f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, mandates the NCS to collect revenue, deter smuggling, and safeguard the security of Nigeria’s borders.

However, the legislator stated that instead of fighting smuggling, current investigations exposed that Nigeria Customs Service officials crossing borders are helping and encouraging smuggling.

He explained to the house that according to a report published by a Sahara correspondent on November 18, 2024, it exposed what he detailed as huge smuggling of over 2,000 automobiles carrying 6,500,000 kg of rice through Badagry under the watch of customs agents.

He further added that the footage published by investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo revealed Customs personnel’s cooperation in the unlawful activities.

The lawmaker stated that, aside from the allegations of aiding smuggling, customs personnel have been accused of violence against citizens who tried to document and expose their illegal operations.

He reported an incident of violence from customs officers alongside soldiers harassing two travellers identified as Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik along the Badagry-Seme Motorway on December 1, 2024.

He noted, “The victims were suspected of documenting smuggling activities, leading to threats against their lives and a standoff that required intervention from residents and police.”.

The lawmaker stated the economic consequences of smuggling, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenues, promoting unfair trade practices, and flooding markets with substandard and potentially harmful products.

He further mentioned that the actions of certain officers within the Customs Service violate its core mandate, undermining public trust, and raising issues with the oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel.