Senate orders Customs to return rice seized in Ibadan markets

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges has directed the Nigeria Customs Service to return the bags of rice and money which its officials allegedly seized recently from some shops in the Oja Oba and Bodija markets in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service had last week stormed Oja Oba market and carted away eight truckloads of rice and money found in the shops of the affected traders.

This operation came barely a month after they raided the Bodija International Market, where they also carted away numerous bags of rice.

The development forced the Senators Teslim Folarin of Oyo Central Senatorial District and Senator Kola Balogun to protest the nocturnal operation of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, referred the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the allegation of invasion and looting against the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Senate Committee at its sitting, on Tuesday, condemned the act and described it as totally unacceptable.

The panel then asked the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, represented by his Assistant Comptroller General, Garba Mohammed, to ensure that the seized goods were returned to the affected traders within two weeks.

It also directed that their shops should be unlocked while money taken from the shops must be equally returned.