Security operatives from the Nigerian Customs Service and soldiers manning checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme Expressway, weekend, allegedly brutalised two residents, Taofeek Olatunbosun and Rafiu Abdelmalik, for making a video.
The officers suspected the duo of being informants supplying journalists with information about smuggling activities.
The victims, both transporters, were reportedly assaulted at the checkpoint, while attempting to make a video to update their customers on their location.
In a phone interview , Taofeek Olatunbosun explained: “We were on our way to Apa when the motorcycle we were on stopped at a fuel station to get petrol. The customer I was supposed to deliver goods to kept asking for my exact location, so I asked my assistant to make a video of our surroundings to send to him.
“Before I knew it, someone approached my assistant and tried to take his phone. This drew the attention of security operatives at the checkpoint. When they intervened, they accused us of making videos for journalists exposing smuggling activities on the road.
“They took us to a location near the checkpoint and contacted their team leader, Adamu Zakari, a soldier. When he arrived, he recognized me, saying he knew my brother, threatening to kill him the next time he sees him.
“Despite recognizing me, he still didn’t believe our story. He then asked why the officers hadn’t killed us and dumped our bodies in the water. That’s when the beating started.”
Rafiu Abdelmalik, the second victim, shared his experience: “I was only making the video under my boss’s instructions. One of the smugglers working with the security operatives slapped me and tried to take my phone. He dragged us to the officers, who took us to a secluded area near the checkpoint and tortured us, demanding we reveal the journalists we were planning to send the video to.
“When residents saw how the beating was, they called the police, who eventually rescued us. Otherwise, they would have killed us. It was later discovered that the same officers had warned journalists in Badagry not to report smuggling activities.”
When contacted, Abdullahi Hossein, Public Relations Officer of the Seme Border Customs, stated: “The officers involved will be withdrawn from the checkpoint immediately. What they did does not reflect our organization’s values, and we take full responsibility for their actions.”
The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Kayode Kolade, directed the immediate withdrawal of the implicated officers for interrogation.
This move, according to a statement released by the service, aims to facilitate appropriate disciplinary measures.
Kolade assured the public that the findings of the investigative panel will be made public upon conclusion.
He said: “The command expresses its deepest empathy for the affected members of the public and strongly condemns such unethical behavior. It is important to note that the actions of these officers are inconsistent with the values and operational standards of the Service.”
The Command also urged stakeholders and the public along the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor to continue their lawful activities. It reiterated its commitment to fostering a safe and conducive environment for legitimate trade to thrive…
Regarding military involvement, Hossein added: “Due to the volatile nature of some patrols, we have military personnel attached to us. I’m not sure if military officers were involved in this incident, but we take responsibility and urge the victims to reach out to us.”