15th August, 2024
By Adejoke Adeleye, Ogun
Some traders in Lafenwa market, Abeokuta, Ogun under the auspices of Ifesowapo Association of Rice sellers in on Thursday protested over invasion and breaking of their shops by customs officers to seize bags of rice.
The market women, who marched through major streets of Abeokuta armed with leaves and placards with inscriptions to express their grievance were led by Aderonke Mofeoluwa Secretary l.
Aderonke while speaking with newsmen alleged that the custom officers broke into their shops on Wednesday at midnight and at odd hours on Thursday morning.
She lamented that the invasion was not the first, recalling that a similar raid was conducted by the customs on May 27 and 29, 2024, during which bags of rice worth N20 million were carted away from their shops.
The traders lamented that they are in debts due to the actions of the customs officers.
While lamenting that majority of them are widows and single parents,the traders, pleaded with the authorities to take into consideration their loss and plights.
Folake Clement, the association’s secretary ll, 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.
‘We are market women under the banner of Ifesowapo Association of Rice Sellers, Lafenwa market. Customs at midnight invaded and broke our shops to remove bags of rice worth millions of naira. They are fond of doing this at odd hours of the day.
‘They had earlier came on May 27 and 29, 2024 and removed 105 bags. Again, on midnight of Wednesday they invaded and broke our shops and moved away 150 bags of rice.
“We took loan for this business and we are now in debt. We are begging customs because majority of us are orphans and single mothers, trying to raise our children from this business” she cried.
The Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi,who was in Abeokuta to see Gov Dapo Abiodun in his reaction noted that smuggled items remain contraband irrespective of where they are taken to.
The customs boss, on the other hand, 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.
Adeniyi said “I will be engaging the comptroller federal operations on the issues of anti smuggling operations in the market. It’s a no no for me and I will not tolerate and allow us to get into the market.
“But let me stress here that smuggled items are still smuggled items anywhere they are. If we are able to get them into the market it does not change their status, they still remain smuggled items.
“But there could be a more civil ways in which we would control these things in such a way that it will not create this kind of problems and unnecessary problems for the state government” he added.
