Ogun Commercial Drivers Protest Against Multiple Illegal Customs Checkpoint On Ilaro-Obelle Road

“That is a total of 30 checkpoints from Ilaro to Oja-Odan, a border community between Ogun and Benin Republic,”

commercial drivers reportedly pay between N200 and N500 at each of the checkpoints.
However, the Ilaro branch chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr Ibrahim Olaleye assured the protesters that “the Union will look into the matter of Police, Customs, FRSC, and Nigerian Army extorting N200 or N500 from the drivers per trip.”

“It is true the drivers protested multiple roadblocks along Ilaro-Oja-Odan road.
“They also challenged mounting of excessive checkpoints on the road by Customs as well as exorbitant cost of the unions tickets.
“I can tell you reliably that there is no cause for alarm as the Area Commander is in full control of the situation.”

“The Service is aware of an alleged protest today that has to do with multiplicity of checkpoints along Ilaro-Obelle road.
“But looking at our checkpoints from Obelle down to Ilaro, they are designated, approved Customs checkpoints at strategic positions which do not increase or decrease on market days or under any circumstances as the checkpoints are at 40km radius from the border.
“However, there’s what we call ‘stop and search’, which could be employed when we receive information on any contraband and once the suspected good is accosted, the team leaves the premises immediately.
“On the issue of extortion, I can say that our men don’t extort, but should any Customs officer be found wanton as we do our findings, necessary sanctions will be served without fear or favor,”