The Controller of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, has condemned the proliferation of checkpoints along the Seme–Krake corridor, describing the situation as “a disgrace to Nigeria.”
Speaking during a Stakeholders’ Forum held at the Command on Monday, Adenuga pledged that Customs would reduce checkpoints under its control to the barest minimum and urged other security agencies operating in the area to do the same.
“If you do not have anything to do on that road, stay away. Let us perform our duties with the fear of God,” he said.
Adenuga also warned that any Customs officers found colluding with touts known as “camp boys” or “kelebes” to delay travellers would face disciplinary action.
He further called for cooperation with local communities to address the vandalisation of electrical poles.
On broader concerns, the Controller said Customs had conducted a transparent recruitment process to support job creation and promised to escalate requests for school rehabilitation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
He assured that the Stakeholders’ Forum would remain a continuous platform for dialogue and problem-solving.
During the meeting, stakeholders raised several complaints, including harassment of women by security personnel, indiscipline among officers, overlapping responsibilities of agencies, and the negative impact of extortion on tourism and local businesses.
They also accused some officers of delaying motorists during searches and engaging unauthorised intermediaries to mount informal checkpoints.
In his response, Deputy Controller of Immigration, Joseph Orji, admitted that multiple checkpoints existed but argued that some residents were not always cooperative with security officers.
He disclosed that erring officers had been redeployed and advised community members to carry their national identity cards at all times to avoid unnecessary harassment.
The meeting underscored growing frustrations within border communities, with stakeholders pressing for urgent reforms to reduce delays and improve trade facilitation along the busy Seme–Krake corridor.