By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Nigeria Customs officers |
BADAGRY, LAGOS – A wave of fear and frustration is sweeping through the Isalu community in Badagry, Lagos State as residents raise the alarm over what they describe as reckless and harassing conduct by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Accusations of dangerous driving and forceful home invasions on have sparked urgent calls for intervention from state and federal authorities.
The outcry gained national traction following a Facebook post by a concerned resident, Omolara Baliqiz, which was shared alongside a now-trending video. Baliqiz detailed a harrowing incident that occurred on Tuesday, just before 2pm alleging that customs officers drove at high speed through the community at a time when schoolchildren were about to close.
“It was only God that saved us in Isalu community today. Many lives could have been lost,” Baliqiz wrote, capturing the community's collective panic. Her account suggests a near-tragedy was averted mere minutes before the area would have been filled with children.
Beyond the single incident of reckless driving, residents report a disturbing pattern of behavior. According to Baliqiz, customs officers frequently storm the community, often under the cover of darkness, in their pursuit of suspected smugglers. These operations, she claims, are conducted with a blatant disregard for the safety and rights of lawful residents.
“Sometimes they come like thieves in the middle of the night, banging on people’s doors and forcing their way in at gunpoint,” Baliqiz alleged. She added a more distressing claim, stating, “Even the little food families have to eat, they take it away,” accusing officers of seizing essential goods from households.
The situation has been described as "unbearable" by those living in the Badagry community. Residents are now appealing directly to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and relevant government oversight bodies to launch an immediate investigation into the conduct of its officers in the area.
The central plea from Isalu community is for the establishment of clearer rules of engagement and better oversight of customs operations within densely populated residential areas. They demand that the safety of lives and property be prioritized, ensuring that anti-smuggling operations do not come at the cost of civilian welfare and fundamental rights.
As the video continues to circulate online, pressure is mounting on the Nigeria Customs Service to address these serious allegations and provide reassurance to the concerned citizens of Badagry.