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Raid on Ibadan markets: Residents lament as Customs favours Kastina traders
• urge senate president, Lawan to intervene
Residents of Oyo state have lamented the failure and reluctance of men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to return the bags of rice and other valuables allegedly carted away during the recent raid on Ibadan markets as they favoured Katsina traders whose goods were returned.
It will be recalled that operatives from the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had earlier stormed Bodija and Oja’ba markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, and went away with an unknown number of bags of rice, loaded in trucks. They were alleged to have broken into warehouses, stores and shops containing the bags of rice to carry out the act.
The residents, also urged the senate president, Mr. Ahmed Lawan and other lawmakers at the National Assembly to intervene as the affected traders are just recovering from the last year’s economic meltdown caused by COVID-19, only to be witnessing this.
They raised the alarm shortly after the senators had instructed men of the NCS to return all the goods seized from the traders in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
One of the residents, Zacchaeus Taiwo who expressed concern over the failure of the officers to return the goods to the traders, noted that while Katsina traders’ goods were returned to them after they had been allegedly carted away by the Nigeria Customs Service , there’s no need to continue withholding the goods seized in Ibadan, not even when the senators’ had directed the agency to return the goods it seized from shops of rice traders in Ibadan.
Taiwo, however maintained that the operatives should not give preferential treatment to Katsina traders only, adding that continuous seizure of Ibadan traders’ goods at their disposal amounts to injustice and unfairness.
Also, Adewale Qassim submitted that the action taken by the NCS to return the goods belonging to Katsina traders justifies that they only cared for the traders coming from the state at the expense of the ones in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Qassim stressed that the officers who led the Katsina’s shops’ raid had been dismissed, while same decision has not been taken against the ones who led similar raids on Ibadan markets.
“Men of the NCS only returned the Katsina traders’ goods because they are from President Muhammadu Buhari’s state”, he alleged.
Another resident that chose to be anonymous requested that operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service who carried out the dastardly and illegal act should be brought before the temple of justice.
He maintained that an action taken by them could make people resort to self-help and self-defense, while governments fail to do the needful.
He, however enjoined the national assembly to caution men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) so as to avoid carrying out an act, which is an aberration to the act that established and sustains the agency.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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