The Union of Pioneers Association of Smugglers disclosed
Members of the union alleged that Nigerian security operatives and border-area residents have long served as foot soldiers for an illicit trade worth around N24 billion monthly.
Speaking anonymously, union leaders claimed that a powerful syndicate backed by senior security figures oversees the flow of contraband, including rice, vehicles, fuel, and other restricted items, from the Republic of Benin into Lagos. They say goods are routinely cleared after “settlements” with customs officers and escorted safely by military personnel.
The union accused a well-known smuggling coordinator of running what they described as a “mafia-style structure” that enriches a select few at the expense of indigenous operators.
“He doesn’t own a single vehicle, but he collects returns from every operation,” a member said. “His investment keeps growing, while the real indigenes can’t boast of any.”
Attempts by the union to create a new operational team, known as Team C, have allegedly been blocked repeatedly by security operatives. Despite interventions from community leaders and even a prominent Yoruba traditional ruler, the union claims officials have stalled the process to protect their financial interests.
They don’t want Team C because it will cut into the billions they make,” another union executive said.
Members further accused soldiers attached to two major formations in Badagry of providing escort services for smuggled goods instead of securing Nigeria’s borders. As recently as Saturday, one source claimed, army personnel were seen supervising loading operations after a clearance arrangement involving some customs officials.
“The military are supposed to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity, but they are escorting smuggled rice and cars into Lagos,” a member alleged.
Multiple senior officers across several formations, including the customs service, were also named by insiders as allegedly offering top-level protection for the network.
While Lagos border routes are described as “crippled” due to the cartel’s grip, the union claims several Ogun State border points are fully active and currently serve as alternative entry routes for smuggled goods, further expanding the cartel’s reach.
“Lagos is dead unless you are connected. But Ogun is booming. That’s why the money is huge,” one union member said.
With December approaching, a month typically marked by heightened smuggling, union members say they were again informed this week that their long-requested operational approval would not be granted. They now accuse security operatives of colluding with the cartel to monopolise the Christmas surge in contraband movement.
Feeling sidelined, the union says it is preparing a petition to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, calling for a full-scale investigation into what they describe as a “billionaire smuggling empire backed by uniformed personnel.”
They insist the alleged involvement of soldiers, customs officers, and police officers shows how deeply entrenched corruption is at Nigeria’s borders.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, has yet to comment on the allegations as of filing this report.
This comes despite the operation of the NCS anti-smuggling unit.
NCS announced in July that it had seized N1.84 billion worth of contraband in South West Nigeria alone.
0 Comments