Nigerian Customs Service Operatives Accused Of Stealing N1million From Passenger At Lagos International Airport
Oke Adhekegba, the victim, arrived at the airport on May 16 and alleged that the customs officers, identified only as Adebayo and Ugboma, demanded N5million in customs clearance fees.
ANigerian passenger returning from the United States has accused two operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of stealing N1million from him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Oke Adhekegba, the victim, arrived at the airport on May 16 and alleged that the customs officers, identified only as Adebayo and Ugboma, demanded N5million in customs clearance fees.
The officers had claimed that Adhekegba’s luggage contained items worth a significant amount of money, and when he refused to pay, they became aggressive and tried to negotiate the amount.
After several hours of frustration, the officers agreed to accept N1million, which Adhekegba transferred to a PalmPay account provided by a female merchant.
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Adhekegba described the incident as “pure robbery” and expressed frustration with the treatment he received from the officers. “I had nothing incriminating on me or in my luggage,” he said as quoted by FIJ.
“They said they had about five pairs of shoes in my bags. I asked them, ‘Are the shoes not of the same size?’ I said, ‘Is there any law that says I cannot enter Nigeria with my pairs of shoes?’”
“I had thought they would provide a government account number but no, it was a female PoS merchant they brought. The merchant, whom I am convinced is their accomplice, provided her PalmPay account number 9551197XXX with Shaaibu Rabiu as the account number,” Adhekegba said.
“I had nothing incriminating on me or in my luggage. They said they had about five pairs of shoes in my bags. I asked them, ‘Are the shoes not of the same size?’ I said, ‘Is there any law that says I cannot enter Nigeria with my pairs of shoes?’ They claimed one of my bags was worth $5000. Luckily, I had not removed a price tag, showing $106, from the bag.
“They collected the money and claimed that they would pay the money to the government coffers the following day. This is pure robbery.
“I was already tired and exhausted, flying about 17 hours from Houston. After robbing me of my money, that officer Adebayo still had the effrontery to come to me to ask me to give him a pair of sandals I bought for my daughter.
“Some people told me this is the order of the day. Everyday, they rattle people to collect money. It needs to stop. I did not deserve to experience such a callous treatment.”
The officers’ actions have raised concerns about the safety and security of travellers at Nigerian airports
Adhekegba’s experience highlights the need for the authorities to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that travelers are treated with dignity and respect.
In a statement, the spokesperson of the Command, Usman Abdu, stated that what was taken from the passenger was the duty-paid value of her luggage, which included perfumes, bags, and clothes.
The customs publicist added that the items are worth N3,113,574 and have a duty-paid value of N1,000,004.
The customs spokesperson said, “The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has been drawn to a media report concerning an incident involving a passenger during customs clearance procedures at the Arrival Hall D of the old terminal.
“The incident involves one Mr Oke Adhekegba, who arrived in Lagos aboard British Airways Flight Number BA-75 from London on Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 18:47 hours. Preliminary findings indicate that, following a careful examination by officers of the Service with the name Chief Superintendent of Customs, K.O. Adebayo, and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, C.C. Ugboma, the passenger was accompanied by 10 pieces of luggage containing multiple items, including 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfume, 12 pieces of bags and numerous new clothing.
“These items were assessed at $1,948.15 upon proper valuation. Using the prevailing exchange rate of N1,598.22, the value in naira amounted to N3,113,574.00. In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the applicable charges, which are the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme charge, Import Duty, Surcharge, ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme Levy, and Value Added Tax, were computed, amounting to N1,000,004.00, which has since been duly remitted into the Federal Government’s coffers (copy attached).”
Credit/ Sahara reporter
