Concerned Nigerians Raise Alarm as Land Border Smuggling Costs Nigeria Billions
- Some Nigerian Customs officers have been accused of enabling smuggling, which exposes the country to the influx of substandard goods and arms
- The group called for a redirection of imports through seaports, which they said could generate up to N1 trillion annually and create over 100,000 jobs
- They urged the government to enforce stricter border controls and protect local industries to boost investor confidence, revenue, and national security
Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
A civic group, Concerned Nigerians, has expressed strong disapproval of the activities of some Nigerian Customs officers at the nation’s land borders, accusing them of aiding economic sabotage and undermining national security.
According to the group, the administration’s policy of floating the naira has boosted confidence among genuine businessmen who can now import goods without fear of currency devaluation at the ports.
Source: UGC
However, this economic gain is being eroded by smugglers and saboteurs operating under the guise of traders.
The group warned that the porous nature of Nigeria’s land borders could encourage not only the influx of substandard goods but also dangerous arms and ammunition, threatening the country’s security and the government’s renewed hope agenda.
Call for closure of land borders
Concerned Nigerians argued that a complete shutdown of land borders for importation and exportation could generate between ₦800 billion and ₦1 trillion annually in import revenue if all imports are redirected through the seaports.
Such a measure, they added, would curb smuggling, protect local industries, and create more than 100,000 legitimate jobs.
In a statement signed by its coordinator, Mr. Alabi Adesola, the group noted that Nigerian markets are flooded with goods such as rice, vegetable oil, sugar, milk, margarine, and tomato paste, many of which are illegally brought in and sometimes expired, thereby posing serious health risks.
The statement read in part:
"We strongly condemn the compromised activities of Nigerian Customs at land borders, enabling rampant smuggling. This undermines our economy, businesses, and citizens' well-being.
"The influx of imports cargo like (rice, vegetable oil, sugar, and edible products,milk,tomatoes paste,margarine) poses health risks due to potential fake or expired goods.
"Smuggling also unfairly competes with legitimate businesses, threatening livelihoods and tax revenue.
"Concerns about potential arms movements and illicit activities through porous borders further exacerbate the issue.
"Today our markets all over the country are filled with foreign imported products that are illegally imported through our land borders."
Recommendations to government
The group urged the federal government to strengthen border security by tightening seaport controls, banning the importation of goods produced locally through land borders, and enforcing stricter customs surveillance.
According to them, these steps would increase tax revenue, restore investor confidence, enhance employment, reduce insecurity, and strengthen the naira against the CFA.
They further cautioned that ignoring the issue could expose Nigeria to greater risks, including the unchecked movement of arms.
Their recent research, they said, revealed several products being imported into Nigeria without adherence to import guidelines or payment of appropriate duties, further draining government revenue.
Source: Legit.ng
