By Foster Obi
Picture: Bank receipt of the money allegedly paid to process bail for the detainees
The National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA) has condemned what it describes as a violent attack and unlawful detention of its officials during a routine monitoring exercise near the Seme Border on Monday, November 24, 2025.
A statement signed by Rev. Alex Nwokedi, National Secretary, and Comrade AA Victor, Western Zone PRO, stated that its Western Zone PRO, Comrade AA Victor, led a team to the Badagry roundabout area after observing trucks with covered registration numbers, a red flag for illicit trade. Their attempt to investigate was allegedly met with force by more than 30 individuals, who were allegedly linked to the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).
Victor was reportedly beaten, thrown into a drainage, and left with serious injuries before the matter was reported to the police.
NCJTFLCA described as “shocking and unacceptable” the subsequent detention of its officials by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), allegedly acting on the directives of the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Badagry. The officials were allegedly held for three days, released only after posting bail and signing an undertaking.
The Taskforce says the assault and detention amount to an orchestrated attempt to intimidate its members for uncovering suspicious movements of goods at the border. It linked the incident to what it describes as rising smuggling activities under the new Seme Area Controller, Adewale Adenuga, “with no corresponding improvement in revenue.”
“This is persecution for doing our legitimate job,” the group said, insisting that its findings point to a surge in illicit trade facilitated by compromised elements at the border.
NCJTFLCA demanded a full investigation into the attack, immediate release of any remaining detained officials, sanctions against those behind the smuggling networks, and greater transparency in Customs operations at Seme.
Picture: The officials in detention
