House Member Petitions Customs over Extortion, Harassment

Adibe Emenyonu

Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State, Mr. Dennis Idahosa (APC), has petitioned the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over alleged extortion and harassment of motorists and other road users by its officers at Ekiadolor along the Benin-Ore-Lagos Highway, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The petition, which was dated August 17, 2021, and made available to newsmen in Benin yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Friday Aghedo, said his constituency office has been inundated with complaints arising from the activities of these officers.

He said that the activities of men of the NCS have made that axis of the federal highway unfriendly to road.

Idahosa recalled that the activities of these officers on that axis of the highway have resulted to deaths of some innocent Nigerians.

Acknowledging the fact that activities of smugglers and importers of contraband goods must be checked, he noted that this should not be used as an avenue to extort and harass innocent and hard working Nigerians.

He said: “Not only have I received calls, but I have received letters to this affect about the unwholesome activities of the officers of the NCS on this axis of the road, which falls under my constituency.

“Having been inundated with calls and letters by concerned Nigerians and a fact-finding mission by my humble self, I therefore took the decision to personally notify your humble office sir.

“This unprofessional conduct that involves extortion and harassment of motorists by some officers and men of the NCS, Federal Operation Unit (FOU), stationed at Ekiadolor, has become an embarrassment to road users.

“It has been noted that the operatives even boast openly that they are the most callous in Nigeria and to show that their loots are huge, they are alleged to have occupied one full hotel for a long time and close to their check point.

“They NCS lavished money illegally obtained from Nigerian commuters who most times have their correct customs papers or have brought in goods as personal effects.

“About a year ago, two young Nigerian were killed by the officers because of an argument which ensued over two bag of rice and the culprits are still yet to be brought to book.

“The high costs of goods in the South-South and the South East of Nigeria is traceable to their activities as they extort everybody no matter how poor and how high.

“Sometimes, they impound cars and goods and resell them to themselves using cronies and agents in sham auction sales that are like well rehearsed re-enactment of a criminal conspiracy, practiced at night as they even, has civilian collaborators, some of whom are locals.

“These personnel have turned Ekiadolor, along the Lagos-Ore-Benin Highway into a theatre of unprofessionalism, thereby bringing the Nigerian Customs Service to disrepute.

“I earnestly seek your prompt intervention in the matter by not allowing the operatives proceed with such irregularities and circumvention of law and due process.

“I appeal that you order an immediate inquiry into the alleged offences and misconduct.”