The House of Representatives Wednesday decided to investigate the operations and activities of the Nigerian Customs Service across Nigeria’s borders, with a specific focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity, and incidents of brutality.
The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Wednesday by Sesi Whingan.
Presenting the motion, he said by virtue of Section 4 (b, e, and f) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, Customs is mandated to collect revenue, prevent smuggling and customs fraud, and ensure the security of Nigeria’s borders.
He said reports of brutality have emerged, including an incident along the Badagry-Seme expressway on December 1, 2024, where officers from the Customs in collaboration with soldiers, violently assaulted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik.
Whingan stressed that 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 explained that 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.
He added that 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.
Whingan noted: “At night, these same Officers reportedly enable or tum a blind eye to rampant smuggling activities, undermining public frust and perpetuating economic hardship.
“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.”
The House mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise, jointly with the Committee on Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the Nigerian Customs Service across Nigeria borders, with a specific focus on smuggling activities, allegations of complicity, and incidents of brutality and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
It also directed Committees on Defence and Customs and Excise to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patros, ensuring their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.