On Monday, members of the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria from the South-West region protested at the Ondo/Ekiti Command headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Akure, Ondo State, accusing NCS officers of persistent harassment, extortion, and illegal vehicle seizures.
The protesters, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages like “We pay duty, stop the harassment,” “Customs – Uphold the Law, Not Extortion,” and “Release Our Vehicles,” claimed that vehicles legally cleared at Lagos ports were being intercepted on highways and subjected to arbitrary revaluation, forcing dealers to pay additional unofficial fees.
Alhaji Ibrahim Adeniyi, National Vice President of the association, described the protest as long overdue. “They collect money from us at the port, and when we get to our states, they still demand more. It’s exploitation,” he said. “We are from Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun states, here to fight for our rights.”
Adeniyi praised the state Comptroller, Mrs. Queen Obazee, for addressing their concerns, noting that she was unaware of the alleged harassment and extortion and promised to investigate, stating no such directives came from her office.
In response, the NCS, through its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Aondoakura Dzungwenen, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to professionalism and integrity. The statement noted that the command had met with the association’s representatives, assuring them that measures are being implemented to streamline operations and prevent unprofessional conduct. The association reportedly apologized during the engagement.
To enhance standards, the Customs Area Controller approved additional training for officers on operational engagement, enforcement procedures, reputation management, and stakeholder relations. The NCS urged stakeholders to use official channels for grievances and cautioned against unverified claims, emphasizing its dedication to fairness, integrity, and respect for the rule of law.
