The Nigerian Senate has requested the Federal Government to investigate the illegal practices of the Nigeria Customs Service in border communities, in response to the hardships suffered by residents and traders of these communities.
The Senate’s call was accompanied by an indictment of the Comptrollers of Customs in Kaduna, Katsina and Ogun state for allegedly violating the rules of engagement.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi, chair of the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Abuse of Firearms, submitted a report alleging that traders were forced to get unauthorised receipts to transport legitimate items.
The report read in part: “The Federal Government should direct the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and heads of other security agencies to, as a matter of national inclusion, reduce the multiple checkpoints mounted along the corridors of border communities.
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“This will allow for the free flow of goods, especially farm produce, in around, and out of these communities to the main towns and around the markets in the border communities.”
The report also called for an investigation into the alleged issuance of unofficial receipts to traders and non-traders in Jibia and Mai’adua, in Katsina State by officials of Customs and other security agencies.
According to Sen Fadahunsi, this practice has caused significant hardship to people living in these communities, making the transportation of their goods to major markets a difficult task.
The Senate has also recommended the redeployment of the Comptrollers of Katsina/Kaduna and Idiroko Area Commands.
“This will create a healthy relationship, and make the Customs realise its mandate without being insensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the communities in the state.
The Senate has further called for the lifting of the 20-kilometre ban on sales of petroleum products in border settlements.
“This policy is a threat to peaceful coexistence, a denial of the people to belong to the larger Nigeria society and a serious cause of hardship in these communities.,” the report read.
