The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed concern over the proliferation of illegal security checkpoints and persistence of unwholesome practices along the Lagos-Abidjan Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) corridor, frustrating trade facilitation and posing as a significant threat to regional commerce and national image.

The fight to reclaim the Lagos-Abidjan corridor from illegal checkpoints, border-related crimes and trade barriers has become a national crisis demanding swift and transparent action from all stakeholders.

To address these issues that stunt economic growth and tarnish Nigeria’s reputation, the NCS has initiated a high-level stakeholders’ meeting that brought together representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), traditional rulers, and various trade associations, including freight forwarders and community leaders.

Controller of Seme Customs Command, Wale Adenuga, who spoke at the meeting yesterday, called on security agencies and border communities to unite in tackling issues that could tarnish Nigeria’s image and hinder regional commerce.

Adenuga exposed how these multiple roadblocks have turned a key trade artery into a nightmare for traders, tourists, and travellers alike.

He said that while the Benin Republic side enjoys smoother border controls, Nigeria’s side is crippled by rampant extortion, harassment and corruption fuelled by unauthorised “camp boys” posing as officials at dozens of disruptive checkpoints.

The Seme Customs boss also highlighted the disparity in border control between the Benin Republic and Nigeria, noting that the Benin Republic side has a more seamless process for intervening in vehicles suspected of conveying questionable items.

He warned security agencies without business at the legal checkpoints to steer clear of the corridor, stating that management of Customs has outlawed the “camp boys” from the main roads.

Meanwhile, one of the community leaders, Joseph Agoro, said that most of the fights and conflicts on the border corridor were caused by camp boys recruited by security agencies along the border route.
On his part, the Oba of Kweme Kingdom in Badagry, Sejiro Ogungbe, expressed appreciation to the Customs for reducing frequent clashes between Customs and smugglers in the communities, which he said often leads to avoidable deaths.

Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Olukayode Olugbenga Aluko, represented by the Defense Attaché, Col. S. Yahaya, assured that the takeaways from the summit would be fully implemented.