By Amah

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Ogun traders protest invasion of shops, seizure of bags of rice by Customs

A group of rice sellers in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, protested over the alleged invasion of their shops by Customs officials. The women traders, under the auspices of Ifesowapo Association of Rice Sellers, Lafenwa Market, marched through major streets in the state capital, carrying leaves and placards with inscriptions to express their grievance.

The protesters led by their secretary, Aderonke Mofeoluwa, alleged that Customs operatives broke into their shops at midnight on Wednesday. They lamented that the invasion was not the first, recalling that a similar raid was conducted by Customs on May 27 and 29, 2024, during which bags of rice worth N20 million were seized.

The traders lamented that they had taken out loans for their business, which they claimed had failed, leaving them in debt due to the actions of the Customs officers.

DAILY POST reports that the demonstrators who are mostly widows and single parents pleaded with the authorities to take into consideration their loss and plights.

Folake Clement, the association’s secretary, alleged that the Customs officers made away with 255 bags of rice in the separate operations, adding that at the time of their protest, they were helpless.

Reacting, the Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi, noted that smuggled items remain contraband irrespective of where they are taken to. The Customs chief assured that an engagement with the Comptroller Federal Operations will be held to discuss civil ways operation can be carried out without causing problems for the public or the government. Daily Post