Nigerian Customs Sabotaging Igbo Businesses

The Ohaneze Youth Council has raised the alarm over the ongoing, relentless extortion and exploitation of Igbo traders and businessmen in the country particularly Lagos state by corrupt officials of the Nigerian Customs Service.

Embittered by the rampant extortion, intimidation and harassment of businessmen going about their legitimate businesses, the Ohaneze Youth Council, led by Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, has also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to investigate the activities of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) and his field officials in the Lagos area over their alleged bid to strangulate Igbo businesses.

He group regretted the rot that has eaten deep into the very fabric of the Nigerian Customs Service whose officials no longer hide their inclination to extortion and corruption perpetrated especially against Igbo traders doing legitimate business.

According to statement issued by the group, Ohaneze Youth Council alleged that through verified complaints, officials of the Customs Service has continued to request some undue and illegal levies from Igbo importers as a condition for clearing goods.

“They also stop Igbo traders on the roadways and demand illegal fees. They employ the use of coercion, threats, closure of shops and seizure of goods, to unlawfully extract money from their victims,” the statement read.