By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, Lagos – An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, is at the center of a public outcry after being accused of physically assaulting a resident of the Badagry community. The alleged incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 13, 2025, has sparked demands for accountability and an internal investigation into the conduct of officers attached to the border command.
The serious allegation was brought to light by Mr. David Sunday Aladeotan, the Vice Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos West. In a social media post that has since garnered significant attention, Aladeotan detailed the events leading to the assault.
According to his account, the officer, identified as Ene, was initially involved in a confrontation with a road user. After the individual fled the scene, Officer Ene, reportedly accompanied by a team of soldiers, is said to have entered a nearby community where the altercation escalated.
It was within this community setting that a resident, identified as Mr. Yakubu Sulaimon, was allegedly assaulted by the customs officer. The youth leader’s narrative suggests that the search for the initial road user led to an unwarranted attack on an uninvolved community member. This incident has raised alarm about the conduct of security personnel operating within the Badagry area and their interaction with the local populace.
In his statement, Mr. Aladeotan highlighted the stark contradiction between this alleged misconduct and recent assurances given by a senior customs official. He specifically referenced Assistant Comptroller A.C. Manga, who had publicly promised that officers of the Seme Command would uphold the highest standards of respect for human rights and treat all members of the public with civility. The alleged assault on Mr. Sulaimon has been described as a clear violation of these professional ethics and a breach of public trust.
Consequently, the National Youth Council leader has formally appealed to the Customs Area Controller for the Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident. He urged Comptroller Adenuga to ensure that the officer in question is held accountable if found culpable, reinforcing the need for officers to operate within the bounds of the law.
As of press time, the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Command, has not issued an official statement regarding the allegation. The silence from the command is being closely watched by residents and stakeholders in Badagry, who await a response to this serious accusation.