Ogun Rice Sellers Protest Invasion Of Shops By Customs

The traders, led by the association's Secretary 1, Aderonke Mofeoluwa, marched through major streets of Abeokuta, carrying leaves and placards to voice their outrage over the incident.

According to the protesters, the customs operatives broke into their shops at midnight on Wednesday, seizing bags of rice worth several million Naira. This latest raid follows a similar incident on May 27 and 29, 2024, when customs officials reportedly confiscated rice valued at N20 million during two separate operations.

The traders, many of whom are widows and single parents, expressed deep concern over their mounting debts, as their businesses rely heavily on loans. "We took loans to sustain our businesses, and now we're drowning in debt due to these actions by the customs officers," lamented Mofeoluwa.

Mrs. Folake Clement, the association’s Secretary 2, further detailed the extent of the losses, claiming that 255 bags of rice were taken during the two previous raids, and another 150 bags were seized in the most recent operation. She highlighted the plight of the affected traders, many of whom are struggling to provide for their families. "We are orphans and single mothers trying to raise our children from this business, but these raids have left us helpless," she said.

In response, Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi acknowledged the traders' grievances but emphasized that smuggled goods remain contraband regardless of where they are stored. He assured that discussions would be held with the Comptroller of Federal Operations to explore more civil approaches to anti-smuggling operations. "While smuggled items retain their illegal status, we must find ways to conduct these operations without causing undue distress to the public or creating unnecessary challenges for the state government," Adeniyi stated.