The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into alleged smuggling activities by personnel of the Nigerian Customs Service. The decision was made during a plenary session on Wednesday, following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Representative Oluwaseun Whingan of Badagry Federal Constituency, Lagos State.
Whingan’s motion cited a shocking report by Sahara Reporters, revealing the mass smuggling of over 2,000 cars carrying 6.5 million kilograms of rice through Badagry, all under the watchful eye of Customs officers. Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo’s videos provided damning evidence of Customs officers’ complicity in these illegal activities.
The situation took a darker turn with reports of brutality, including an incident on December 1, 2024, where Customs officers and soldiers violently assaulted two transporters, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik, suspected of documenting smuggling activities.
Whingan emphasized that smuggling has severe economic consequences, including undermining local industries, reducing government revenue, promoting unfair trade practices and flooding markets with substandard products. “The actions of some officers within the Nigerian Customs Service contravene its core mandate, erode public trust and raise concerns about oversight of joint security operations involving military personnel,” Whingan stated.
The Nigerian Customs Service has faced numerous corruption and fraud scandals in the past. Transparency International’s 2010 Global Corruption Barometer reported that over half of local households surveyed admitted paying bribes to Customs officers in 2009. Several companies, including foreign firms, have been involved in bribery and corruption scandals with Customs officials.
The investigation aims to bring perpetrators to justice and restore integrity to the Nigerian Customs Service. As the investigation unfolds, Nigerians await accountability and reform within the service.
The House of Representatives’ investigation is expected to uncover the extent of the smuggling scandal and identify those involved. The Nigerian Customs Service has not commented on the allegations, but the outcome of the investigation will likely have significant implications for the agency and its personnel.
