Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has urged Nigeria Customs Service operatives to adopt a more civil approach when interacting with market traders in the state. This plea comes amidst allegations of Customs officers forcefully entering shops and warehouses in search of smuggled goods, prompting traders to contemplate a protest.
During a meeting with Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between the security agency and traders. He acknowledged that while some individuals may engage in smuggling, the majority of citizens in the state are law-abiding and deserve respectful treatment.
The Governor stated, "I want to bring to your attention the plight of our market women and men, who have complained bitterly about the conduct of your officers. They feel harassed by the alleged break-ins and searches for smuggled goods." He appealed to the Comptroller General to address this issue and ensure that Customs operatives engage with traders in a more courteous and professional manner.
In response, the Customs boss expressed disappointment over the allegations and promised to investigate the matter to prevent future occurrences.