The Kano-Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has opened an investigation into accusations of extortion and harassment of traders at Kano’s Abubakar Rimi Market, commonly known as Sabon Gari.
The probe follows a petition filed by the Sabon Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association, alleging misconduct by customs officials.
The association claims that customs officers have been unlawfully detaining goods and vehicles transported from Lagos to Kano and demanding payments of up to ₦500,000 per truck.
In their petition, submitted through legal counsel A.A. Hikima Esq, they argue that their goods—locally manufactured and purchased from Lagos’s Alaba Market—are not contraband and should not be subject to customs duties.
The traders report that demands for payment begin at loading points in Lagos and persist through multiple checkpoints in Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano.
Nazifi Auwalu, spokesperson for the Sabon Gari Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association, expressed frustration with these alleged practices, stating, “We are facing a difficult situation because we are now in a dilemma of transporting goods from elsewhere into Kano State. We are now like a rat and the cat between us and customs officials.”
He recalled an incident where customs detained a vehicle carrying perfume, demanding ₦1 million for its release.
Another trader, Nura Abdullahi, shared a similar ordeal, reporting that officials seized his vehicle and only released it after he paid ₦2 million plus additional fees of ₦150,000.
Responding to the allegations, NCS Kano-Jigawa Public Relations Officer Nura Abdullahi confirmed an active investigation.
“The office is on the matter, currently investigating who and who are involved. The team sent to investigate have already begun the arrest of officials found wanting on the issue,” he said, adding that any traders wronged in the process would receive compensation.
“I want to thank the businessmen for raising the alarm,” Abdullahi added.
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