House Reps Orders Probe into Nigeria Customs Service Operations in Badagry Following Motion by Hon. Sesi Whingan

By Dansu Peter  The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Nigeria Custom...

By Dansu Peter 

The House of Representatives has resolved to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following alarming reports of smuggling, misconduct, and human rights abuses allegedly linked to the agency.

Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, representing the Badagry Federal Constituency, moved the motion during a plenary session, expressing concerns over the systemic failures of the NCS to fulfill its statutory duties under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. This Act mandates the NCS to collect revenue, prevent smuggling, and secure Nigeria's borders.

Citing a recent investigative report by Sahara Reporters on November 18, 2024, Hon. Whingan revealed the smuggling of over 2,000 vehicles carrying 6,500,000 kilograms of rice through Badagry. Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo implicated Customs officers in facilitating these illegal activities.

Additionally, Hon. Whingan highlighted reports of brutality, referencing a December 1, 2024, incident where Customs officers, in collaboration with soldiers, allegedly assaulted two transporters along the Badagry-Seme Expressway. The victims, reportedly documenting smuggling activities, faced life-threatening violence and intimidation, which escalated into a public standoff.

Hon. Whingan raised concerns about the negative economic impact of smuggling, noting how it undermines local industries, reduces government revenue, and disrupts legitimate trade. He emphasized the plight of small-scale businesses, such as rice farmers and poultry producers, who struggle to compete with the influx of contraband goods, leading to job losses and widespread economic hardship.

"The integrity of the Nigeria Customs Service is crucial to securing our borders and promoting legitimate trade. Reports of complicity, brutality, and economic sabotage by Customs officers undermine public confidence and threaten the sovereignty of our nation. This investigation will be a critical step toward restoring accountability, protecting our economy, and ensuring the welfare of Nigerian citizens," Hon. Whingan stated during the motion.

The motion also addressed the erosion of public trust in the NCS, citing allegations that Customs officers facilitate smuggling operations at night while engaging in extortion and excessive scrutiny of legitimate trade during the day.

To address these issues, the House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise, in collaboration with the Committee on Defence, to investigate the NCS’s operations, with a focus on smuggling activities, officer complicity, and incidents of brutality. The committees have been directed to submit their findings within six weeks for further legislative action.

Additionally, the committees are tasked with examining the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols to ensure compliance with legal frameworks and human rights standards. The House also called for recommendations to enhance oversight and accountability within the NCS, aiming to restore public trust, safeguard economic stability, and ensure national security.

The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, fostering economic growth, and safeguarding the nation’s borders through robust legislative oversight.