Kano traders decry shoddy practice by custom officers

“We’re aware that the  Comptroller-General, Abdullahi Dikko Inde has recently abolished the Customs Federal Operation, except within the borders, but unfortunately, some officials are still fond of making illegal patrol, intimidating our people, especially in the northern part of the country, forcing them to give them to bribe before goods pass at road blocks. Sometimes […]

“We’re aware that the  Comptroller-General, Abdullahi Dikko Inde has recently abolished the Customs Federal Operation, except within the borders, but unfortunately, some officials are still fond of making illegal patrol, intimidating our people, especially in the northern part of the country, forcing them to give them to bribe before goods pass at road blocks. Sometimes when a dealer refuses to give the bribe, the truck is arrested, as ‘contraband goods”, the statement explained.

According to the statement, they have noticed patrol even within Kano. “There are four different road blocks located in Babaldu along Bauchi road and other places. For this reason, we would like to inform the customs boss about the menace, so he can as a matter of safeguarding the rights of the traders investigate the matter and take appropriate action,’ the  statement concluded.

However one of the custom officials, who spoke with journalists on condition of anonymity, denied the Kano traders allegations, saying it was only malicious. He said, even though the customs boss abolished Federal Customs Patrol, however, the customs officials were not restricted to follow up, and that any truck suspected to be carrying contraband goods in whatever location of the country would be pursued and arrested.  

“I’m surprised that these businessmen are complaining in this way, but I am advising them to come and put hands with us to fight smuggling, so that our economy would not be ruined’, he said.