Protest erupted in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as a group of rice vendors expressed their anger over the alleged intrusion into their shops by Customs officials.
Carrying leaves and placards with messages of dissent, the women traders from Ifesowapo Association of Rice Sellers, Lafenwa Market, paraded through the streets of the state capital to voice their grievances.
Accompanied by their secretary, Aderonke Mofeoluwa, the protesters accused Customs operatives of breaking into their shops at midnight the night before.
They recalled previous raids on May 27 and 29, 2024, during which Customs seized rice worth N20 million, leaving the traders in financial distress as they had borrowed money for their business.
The demonstrators, mostly widows and single mothers, pleaded with the authorities to empathize with their situation and address their concerns.
Folake Clement, also a secretary of the association, claimed that in total, Customs officers took away 255 bags of rice in the recent operations, leaving the traders in a vulnerable state.
“As market women under Ifesowapo Association of Rice Sellers, Lafenwa Market, we were subjected to a midnight invasion by Customs officials who carted away rice worth millions. This is a recurring occurrence,” Clement expressed.
Reacting to the situation, Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi, emphasized that smuggled goods are illegal regardless of their location and reassured of a forthcoming discussion with the Comptroller Federal Operations to ensure a more civil approach to operations.
Adeniyi affirmed, “I will engage the Comptroller Federal Operations concerning anti-smuggling activities in the market. It is unacceptable, and I will not allow such occurrences to persist. We must find a way to prevent such disruptions civilly.”
He added, “Although the goods seized are still considered illegal, we will explore more refined methods to handle such issues without causing unnecessary chaos for the state or its people.”