In a bid to ease trade tensions and avert an impending protest by border communities, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, on Monday convened a crucial stakeholders’ meeting involving community leaders, security agencies, clearing agents, and representatives of the Nigerian Embassy in Benin Republic.
The meeting which held at the Seme Border Command, sought to address persistent complaints over multiple checkpoints, harassment of citizens, and disruptions to legitimate trade along the Lagos-Abidjan trade corridor.
In his remarks, Comptroller Adenuga, who recently assumed duty at the command, described the situation along the corridor as “disgraceful,” stressing that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC); Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has directed a drastic reduction of checkpoints and faster clearance for legitimate trade.
“The checkpoints we have on the roads are too many. Our CGC has directed that they be reduced, and no legitimate business should be delayed. After this meeting, it will not be business as usual,” Adenuga said. “We shall create an implementation committee on all we have discussed, and this engagement will be continuous”, he added.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the CGC’s commitment to harmonizing border operations with global standards, adding that “Nigeria cannot be different from what is obtainable in other parts of the world.”
During the interactive session, stakeholders from the Badagry and Seme communities raised long-standing concerns about unprofessional conduct, extortion, and disregard for civilians by some security operatives.
Prince Joseph Adeoluwayemi Agoro of Apa Kingdom decried the lack of professionalism at checkpoints, citing instances of officers blocking roads and employing untrained aides, locally referred to as “camp boys.” He alleged that many altercations on the roads stem from the misconduct of these aides.
“Security officers do not treat our people with respect. They treat us with disdain. Respect is reciprocal,” Agoro said.
Similarly, Alhaji Yusuf Bashir Mohammed, Chairman of the Community Development Committee of Badagry West LCDA, expressed frustration over what he termed “repetitive meetings without tangible results,” warning of planned mass protests if the issues of multiple checkpoints and alleged harassment persist.
“For the past seven years, we have had no electricity, and our facilities are vandalized despite the heavy security presence. Our youths are restless, and we don’t want a security breakdown in Badagry,” he cautioned, urging Customs to extend its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to local employment and community projects.
Another participant, Comrade Muse Timothy, Chairman of the National Youth Council in Badagry, accused the Nigerian Quarantine Service of frustrating local farmers and traders, while Mr. Okey Iruegbu called for the Federal Government to lift the ban on vehicle importation through land borders, arguing that the policy has only increased smuggling and cost the government revenue.
Also speaking, the Oba of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro James Ogungbe, commended the Customs leadership for reducing deadly chases between officers and smugglers but appealed for leniency toward locals found with small quantities of goods like rice.
Representing the Nigerian Air Force, Capt. H.I. Medugu supported the dialogue, disclosing that CCTV cameras have been installed at Air Force checkpoints to curb unprofessional conduct. He, however, noted that officers must still identify persons and prevent human trafficking, which remains rampant along the corridor.
Responding to the concerns, Comptroller Adenuga assured that the number of checkpoints would be reviewed and significantly reduced in collaboration with other security agencies.
“If you don’t have any business on that road, don’t come there. Anyone who refuses to comply will be arrested. I have the backing of the CGC, the IGP, and the NSA,” he warned.
He also reiterated that the use of “camp boys” had been abolished and that any officer found violating this directive would face sanctions.
On employment, Adenuga clarified that Customs recruitment is now merit-based and conducted online, making external influence impossible. However, he promised to revive the long-abandoned Customs Secondary School in Badagry as part of the Service’s CSR to the host community.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from all parties to foster cooperation, restore sanity along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, and rebuild trust between border agencies and residents.
