The Kano-Jigawa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated an investigation into alleged extortion of traders at Kano’s Abubakar Rimi market, known as Sabon Gari, by customs officials.

This follows complaints from market businessmen who reported harassment and extortion by officers of the command.
The Sabon-Gari Market Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association in Kano State recently filed a petition accusing certain officers of the Nigeria Customs Service of extortion, harassment, and unlawful impoundment of goods and vehicles intended for delivery to northern Nigeria.

In the petition obtained by Newsmen, the association argues that their goods are locally manufactured, procured from Lagos—particularly the Alaba Market—and transported by hired carriers to Kano.
These goods, they claim, do not fall under the category of contraband or items subject to customs duties.

In the petition submitted through their legal counsel, A.A. Hikima Esq, the association disclosed that for every truckload of goods from Lagos to Kano, they are compelled to pay up to N500,000 per truck.They explained that the demand for illegal payments reportedly begins at the point of loading in Lagos and continues through various checkpoints in Kaduna and Zaria, culminating in Kano.

Nazifi Auwalu, Public Relations Officer of the Sabon Gari Shop Owners and Online Marketers Association, described the impact of 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 rat and the cat between us and customs officials.”

Auwalu recounted a recent incident in which a vehicle carrying perfume was detained by customs officers who accused them of conveying contraband.“One officer in charge, FOU, told us that we have to pay the sum of N1 million or else the vehicle will not be allowed to go out of the building,” he alleged.

Another trader, Nura Abdullahi, shared a similar experience, stating he had to pay N2 million after officials seized his vehicle.“We asked them to allow the vehicle to go since there is nothing but they refused,” he said, adding that he was forced to pay additional fees totalling N150,000 for handling and release.

In response to these allegations, the Kano-Jigawa Customs Public Relations Officer, Nura Abdullahi, assured the public of a comprehensive inquiry.“The office is on the matter currently investigating who and who are involved.

The team sent to investigate have already begun arrest of officials found wanting on the issue,” he confirmed, pledging that anyone wronged would be compensated.“I want to thank the businessmen for raising the alarm,” he added.