In a disturbing new video, Nigerian Customs officers and Army personnel were caught violently beating two civilians in Badagry, Lagos State.
The video shows the men being assaulted in the Oloko area, a known smuggling zone.
The incident occurred when the victims attempted to record footage in the area, reportedly to expose smuggling activities.
One of the Customs officers accused one of the victims of revealing secrets about the smugglers operating in the region.
The Customs officer was heard shouting at the victim, accusing him of exposing the smugglers to the authorities.
The officer, speaking in Hausa, warned the victim, “If you don’t tell me the truth, you will suffer.”
A soldier who was present at the scene was ordered to join in the beating, causing the victim to scream in pain.
The Customs officer continued to shout at the victim, demanding to know who had helped him make the video.
He was heard saying, “You will regret doing this. I helped Tunde go to South Africa; ask him about me.”
Despite the threats and violent assault, the victim repeatedly denied any involvement with the smugglers.
The second victim was also severely beaten by the officers, who showed no signs of stopping their assault.
The video has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the brutality of the security officers.
Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo called on the Nigerian Customs Service to take responsibility for the incident.
He posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, urging Customs to learn from past events like the #EndSARS protests.
Soyombo wrote, “What secrets exactly are you hiding around Customs checkpoints to warrant assaulting two grown men like this?”
He continued, “Learn from the events that triggered #EndSARS; stop tempting the people.”
The #EndSARS movement was a series of protests against police brutality in Nigeria, which ultimately led to widespread civil unrest.
Many Nigerians are now expressing concern that this latest incident could lead to similar public outcry.
The Customs Service has not yet responded publicly to the video or the accusations.
The video has raised questions about the conduct of security agencies in Nigeria, especially in relation to smuggling operations.
Badagry, located along Nigeria’s border with Benin, has long been known as a hotspot for smuggling activities.
Many people in the area have raised concerns about the heavy-handed tactics used by Customs and military personnel to control smuggling.
The video has brought renewed attention to the issue, with calls for accountability and an end to abuse of power by security forces.
Human rights organizations have also condemned the actions of the officers, calling for investigations into the assault.
The incident highlights the growing tension between security forces and the civilian population in areas affected by smuggling.
Many people in Badagry and similar regions are frustrated by the behavior of security agents, who they say often act with impunity.
This video is the latest in a series of incidents where security personnel have been accused of mistreating civilians.
The Nigerian government has yet to comment on the situation, but pressure is mounting for swift action.
Nigerians are watching closely to see how the government will respond to this new case of alleged police brutality.
As the video continues to circulate online, many are asking whether the authorities will take any meaningful action to address the issue.
Critics say the assault is part of a larger pattern of abuse by security forces, which remains largely unchecked.
