A clearing agents’ group has accused the Seme Area Command of demanding up to ₦8 million to facilitate the clearance of trucks, while the Nigeria Customs Service has denied that the Area Comptroller threatened the group’s chairman.
The Chairman of the National Compliance Joint Task Force of Licensed Clearing Agents (NCJTFLCA), Comrade Adamu Sambo Muhammad, has accused the Customs Area Comptroller of the Seme Area Command, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, of threatening him after he petitioned the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters over alleged corruption and misconduct at the border.
Muhammad alleged that his complaint centred on payments running into millions of naira allegedly demanded to facilitate the clearance of trucks at the Seme border.
A complaint dated February 2, 2026, reportedly alleged that about ₦8 million was demanded in connection with the clearance of a truck loaded with goods.
According to the petition, the amount allegedly included ₦3.04 million in official duty, ₦4 million described as “table money” or “pocket money,” and ₦960,000 allegedly charged for opening seals and processing documents.
Muhammad said he petitioned the Customs headquarters after efforts to resolve the matter at the command level were unsuccessful, adding that the Seme Area Comptroller was subsequently summoned to Abuja.
He further alleged that he began receiving threats after submitting the petition, including a warning from an individual who allegedly told him to focus on Boko Haram rather than activities at the border.
The clearing agents also alleged that some members of their task force were detained for three days and that ₦200,000 was demanded for their release.
The allegations were reportedly copied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Presidency and other relevant authorities.
However, the Nigeria Customs Service denied that Comptroller Kaila threatened or confronted the clearing agents’ chairman over the petition.
The Public Relations Officer of the Seme Area Command, Tunde Ayagbalo, said petitions from stakeholders are routinely received and handled through established procedures.
He also said the command had taken action over an unrelated incident involving alleged unprofessional conduct by one of its officers, adding that the officer was queried and subsequently interdicted.
The Customs Service maintained that Comptroller Kaila remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade, combating economic sabotage and maintaining engagement with stakeholders.
The allegations made by the clearing agents remain subject to investigation and verification.
