The popular Bodija market in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital on Thursday recorded a protest by traders over alleged seizure of bags of rice “worth millions of naira” by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS).
Penpushing reports that, the traders which included men and women in their hundreds took to the streets in protest alleging the customs officials of invasion and breaking into their shops at midnight to seize the bags of rice.
The protesters were carrying placards with various inscriptions to condemn the actions of the customs, and calling on the customs authority to return all the rice and money carted away from their shops.
Penpushing further reports that, the rice sellers trekked from the market to the state secretariat, in continuation of their protest, which caused traffic congestion for hours and theyalso alleged the customs personnel of carting away with large sums of money left in some stores .
The executive assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde,on security matter, Sunday Odukoya while addressing the protesters in front of the state secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, appealed to the traders to be patient, assuring them that effort was ongoing to speak with the customs’ authority on the matter.
Penpushing also reports that, Oyo/Osun Customs Area Command’s Public Relation Officer, Kayode Wey, while reacting to the development said it was not the officers of the command that raided the market.
The Command spokesman explained that the officers of the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone A, raided the Bodija market,which he said has its own Comptroller who controls its operation
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