The association argues that their goods are locally manufactured, procured from Lagos—particularly the Alaba Market—and transported by hired carriers to Kano.
The Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association in Kano State has filed a petition accusing certain officers of the Nigeria Customs Service of extortion, harassment, and unlawful impoundment of goods and vehicles intended for delivery to northern Nigeria.
The association argues that their goods are locally manufactured, procured from Lagos—particularly the Alaba Market—and transported by hired carriers to Kano.
These goods, they claim, do not fall under the category of contraband or items subject to customs duties.
In a petition submitted through their legal counsel, A.A. Hikima Esq, the association disclosed that for every truckload of goods from Lagos to Kano, they are compelled to pay up to N500,000 per truck.
They explained that the demand for illegal payments reportedly begins at the point of loading in Lagos and continues through various checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, culminating in Kano.
The petition specifically names Customs officers, including OC Bello at Alaba Market in Lagos, Officer Jaji in Kaduna, OC Operation Alkali in Kano, and two officers from Kaduna’s Federal Operations Unit, Afemi and Abbas.
The statement reads, "We, as counsel for the Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association, write this petition to formally bring to your attention the ongoing and systemic extortion, harassment, and arbitrary seizure of goods and vehicles faced by our clients at the hands of certain officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
"Our clients are primarily local goods transporters and traders, engaged in the lawful transport of non-dutiable goods, including cosmetics, solar equipment, bulbs, and bicycles. These goods are procured from Lagos, particularly the Alaba Market, and are transported by hired carriers to Kano. We wish to emphasize that these goods are locally manufactured and do not fall under the category of contraband items or those subject to customs duties.”
Hikima explained that the transportation of these goods, which is facilitated through trailers and J5 buses, has increasingly become marred by extortion and harassment from customs officers stationed at various points, particularly in Lagos, Kaduna, and Kano.
"This harassment has escalated over the past two years, disrupting our clients' operations, resulting in significant financial losses, and undermining their ability to conduct legitimate business,” it reads.
According to the association, for every vehicle-load of good to Kano from Lagos, they are forced to pay as high as N500,000 per truck.
"This demand for illegal payments begins at the point of loading in Lagos and continues through various checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, before culminating in Kano. These incidents have rendered our clients’ business financially unsustainable, as profits are almost entirely eroded by such extortion,” it reads.
Through their counsel, Hikima, the association identified specific officers allegedly involved in the incidents: Lagos (Alaba Market), OC Bello, Kaduna, Officer Jaji, Kano, OC Operation Alkali, Kaduna (FOU Unit), Afemi and Abbas.
He said, "On one occasion in August, a trailer transporting goods was impounded without any grounds. After extensive verification with no incriminating evidence, N2,190,000 was paid to secure release. Our clients have all the necessary evidence to back up this claim.”
Hikima noted that one officer named Abbas from the Kaduna command also collected further demanded N1,050,000 to release goods after arbitrary detention.
“Meanwhile, another customs officer named Abubakar Isa from Kano FOU Unit recently extorted N400,000 for two trucks after an unnecessary search and clearance.
"This and many more instances left our clients businesses and thousands of workers who make a living from them, a serious financial hurdle forcing some of the business to close.
"Our client further state that prior to these past two years, our clients have operated for over a decade without incidents of this nature," Hikima stated.
However, the association wants the Nigeria Customs Service authority to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, specifically addressing the involvement of the named officers and to implement disciplinary measures against the officers found culpable of extortion and harassment.
They also want the Nigeria Customs Service to issue clear directives to customs personnel at all checkpoints to cease such unlawful practices and respect the rights of lawful business operators.
"Facilitate a mechanism for monitoring and addressing future grievances promptly to prevent further financial harm to our clients, upon proof and establishment of the funds extorted, a full refund of all the monies unlawfully collected from our clients.
"We trust that the Nigeria Customs Service will uphold its mandate to promote lawful business and deter officers from engaging in activities that violate the rights of Nigerian citizens.
"Our clients are prepared to provide additional evidence and testimony to substantiate the claims made herein. We await your prompt action to restore their confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service as a fair and just institution," Hikima added.
When SaharaReporters contacted Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, he said he was hearing the grievous allegation for the first time.
He said, "I cannot comment on what I don't really have information on. However, I would like to state it categorically that, based on what you said, if the petition comes to us officially, definitely, it will not be swept under the carpet.
"Whoever is involved, we are going to investigate and find out and, appropriate action will be taken. But for now, I don't have a copy of the petition you're talking about, and, I may not be able to comment on what I don't really know.
"I'm just hearing it from you. But I would suggest the names you mentioned and, what you summarized, that you sent them to me on WhatsApp so that I will be able find the names.”
"For now, I don't really know about it, but I will assure you that if the petition comes to us officially, definitely, we're going to after that," he added.