Fisayo Soyombo, a renowned Nigerian investigative journalist, has raised an alarm over what he believes is a plot by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to arrest him.
Soyombo claims the NCS is working in collusion with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian military in a coordinated attempt to silence him.
The threat, according to Soyombo, comes in the wake of his ongoing investigations into the alleged complicity of Customs officers in smuggling activities.
Soyombo’s revelations have painted a damaging picture of corruption within the NCS, which he has accused of enabling smuggling operations that undermine the nation’s economy.
In a tweet on his X account on Monday, Soyombo disclosed that he had received information suggesting an arrest order against him.
“Until now, all Customs officers tried to do was either bribe or kill me,” Soyombo wrote in his tweet.
He further disclosed that he had already received two previous threats this year.
“Twice this year, I have been warned about threats by your men to either ‘take me down’ or ‘execute’ me,” he added.
Soyombo did not hold back in his accusations, claiming that the Customs officers had either tried to silence him through intimidation or by offering bribes to halt his investigations.
Soyombo has been an outspoken critic of the Customs Service, frequently sharing his findings through his “Good Morning Nigeria Customs” tweets.
His persistent reporting has brought attention to allegations that Customs officers are involved in the facilitation of smuggling, a matter that has now attracted the attention of lawmakers and public officials.
In his tweet, Soyombo stated that the NCS is directly responsible for his safety.
“I am by this tweet holding you responsible for my safety,” he said.
Soyombo warned that if anything happens to him, the public should hold the NCS accountable.
“Should I go missing, Nigerians now know that I am with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),” he added.
His comments are being taken seriously, especially given the grave nature of the allegations and the ongoing investigations into Customs’ involvement in illegal activities.
Soyombo’s concerns about an arrest are not isolated.
The House of Representatives has also been probing Customs’ role in smuggling activities, with Soyombo’s findings playing a central role in the inquiry.
On December 12, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that the House of Representatives directed its committees to investigate the Customs Service.
The inquiry will focus on the NCS’s alleged role in illegal smuggling operations, as well as the actions of military personnel who have been assigned to Customs patrols.
Rep. Sesi Whingan, a lawmaker, underscored the importance of this investigation, citing the dangers posed by Customs’ suspected involvement in smuggling.
“These practices undermine our nation’s security and economy,” Whingan said.
He emphasized the urgency of the matter, urging a swift investigation into the allegations.
The allegations against the NCS have been compounded by recent reports of violent incidents involving Customs officers and military personnel.
One such incident took place on the Badagry-Seme Expressway, where Customs officers, allegedly in collaboration with military personnel, assaulted two transporters.
These transporters were believed to be documenting smuggling activities, which were reportedly being facilitated by Customs officers.
This troubling development has raised concerns about the growing violence associated with Customs’ operations, as well as the role of the military in enforcing Customs patrols.
Soyombo’s exposé has undoubtedly added fuel to the fire, with his findings serving as the catalyst for the ongoing investigation.
The investigation by the House of Representatives is expected to delve deeper into these allegations and could have far-reaching consequences for the NCS and its operations.
