‘We have moved beyond smuggling,’ Ipokia youth leader says as Idiroko customs debunks viral rice-smuggling claim

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The President of the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum, Architect Comrade Deji Imoleayo Mawutin, has dismissed recent claims that large-scale rice smuggling remains rampant along the Idiroko border corridor, insisting that the narrative no longer reflects the realities within the border communities.

His remarks come amid a viral social media video showing several heavily covered vehicles trapped in traffic on the Idiroko-Atan road, with claims that the trucks were transporting smuggled rice.

However, the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has already debunked the allegation, explaining that the vehicles were legitimate commercial trucks conveying red palm oil to local markets and were caught in a traffic gridlock caused by a broken-down trailer and the ongoing reconstruction of the Atan Road.

Mawutin

Speaking on the controversy, Mawutin said many people outside the border communities wrongly assume that every covered truck on the corridor is carrying contraband.

“People fail to understand that not every covered vehicle on this route is transporting smuggled goods,” he said. “We are predominantly farming communities. Our roads are bad, our markets are far away, and transporters usually cover their goods to protect them from rain, theft and damage during the long journey.”

Ipokia LGA Chairman Johnson Avoseh leading campaign against illicit drugs in the area

According to him, the recent viral video has been misinterpreted by people unfamiliar with the peculiar realities of the border corridor.

He argued that the socio-economic landscape of Ipokia has changed significantly, making smuggling far less attractive to many young people.

“Our youths now have greater access to education, skills acquisition and sporting opportunities. We have moved beyond smuggling. Young people now see better opportunities than risking their lives for illegal trade.”

Mawutin acknowledged that smuggling cannot be completely eliminated in any international border community but maintained that its scale has reduced considerably.

“It would be unrealistic to say smuggling has been totally eradicated because we share an international border. But what exists today is nothing compared to what we had years ago. What you now see are isolated cases, while legitimate cross-border purchases by residents continue within the law.”

The youth leader also dismissed suggestions that local youths were involved in the alleged movement of smuggled rice captured in the viral footage.

“If such an incident had occurred, we would know. We cannot allow false narratives that unfairly portray our people as criminals.”

He recalled that relations between youths and customs officers were once characterised by frequent confrontations but said the situation has changed significantly under the leadership of the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

“Before now, there were frequent clashes between youths and Customs officers. Today, there is greater peace, better communication and mutual respect. The relationship has improved tremendously.”

Mawutin attributed the improved atmosphere to sustained community engagement by the Command and initiatives targeted at redirecting young people away from crime.

He noted that educational opportunities and youth development programmes are gradually replacing the attraction of smuggling.

“More than 1,000 youths from our community are currently benefiting from scholarship opportunities across various higher institutions. When our young people are in school and learning skills, who is left to risk his future through smuggling?”

He further argued that smuggling benefits only criminal sponsors while leaving local youths to bear the consequences.

“Smuggling does no one any good. It weakens the economy and gives our community a bad reputation. In many cases, outsiders recruit our youths while they take the profits. We no longer want that.”

The youth president also praised Customs for complementing enforcement with community development initiatives, particularly through sports and education.

Comptroller Afeni in group photograph with one of the participating teams at the opening session of the competition

According to him, programmes such as the recently concluded Afeni Inter-Secondary School Football Tournament have provided positive alternatives for young people who might otherwise be vulnerable to criminal networks operating around border communities.

The President said, “It is remarkable to note that Comptroller Afeni’s youth, humility and intellect have been tremendous assets to his leadership. He combines the energy of youth with exceptional wisdom, setting him apart from many of his peers. While many young people sometimes channel their energy in the wrong direction, he has consistently applied his positively—a quality I believe reflects both his experience and strong family upbringing.”

He went further to say, “Customs is engaging our youths positively through education, sports and other development initiatives. That is the direction we should encourage.”

Supporting the Customs explanation, commercial transport operators along the Idiroko-Owode-Atan corridor also attributed the viral incident to road conditions rather than smuggling activities.

A commercial motorcycle operator Ayobami Wasiu, said heavy rainfall and ongoing road construction have made traffic congestion a regular occurrence.

“Farm produce, cassava, vegetables, garri and palm oil are transported every day on this route. The goods are properly covered because of the rains and to prevent them from falling off the vehicles. That does not mean they are contraband.

“Some of the younger officers joining the customs service appear to come in with a mindset shaped by the prevailing “get-rich-quick” culture in society. Unfortunately, a few seem to carry that mentality into their official responsibilities, and when encountered, their conduct can reflect an alarming level of unethical behaviour.

“The Service should urgently develop effective mechanisms to identify, mentor and discipline such officers before their actions undermine the institution’s integrity and create problems that could become far more difficult to contain. Upholding professionalism, accountability and ethical standards is essential to preserving public confidence in the NCS,” he said.

Another commercial driver, Mr. Bankole, said motorists regularly experience long queues because of the deteriorated sections of the road.

“People see covered vehicles in traffic and immediately conclude they are carrying smuggled rice. That is not always true. Many are transporting legitimate farm produce and other goods.”

Earlier, the Ogun I Area Command had dismissed the viral reports, explaining that the traffic gridlock resulted from a broken-down trailer that obstructed movement on a failed section of the Atan Road.

The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Zakari Chado, clarified that the stranded vehicles were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil and other lawful goods, not smuggled rice.

Customs urged journalists, social media users and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing reports capable of creating unnecessary panic or undermining confidence in security agencies.

The Command also reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade, noting that strengthened community engagement and collaboration with stakeholders have continued to support efforts to reduce economic crimes across the Ogun border corridor..

For residents of Ipokia, however, the bigger story is not the viral video but the gradual transformation taking place within the border communities, where education, sports, skills development and stronger collaboration between Customs and local stakeholders are increasingly replacing the old narrative of smuggling that has long defined the area.