South-West Auto Dealers Protest in Ondo, Accuse Customs of Extortion and Vehicle Seizures
Story: Written by Uzuh Rita September 23,2025
Auto dealers under the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON), South-West Zone, staged a mass protest in Akure, Ondo State, on Monday, alleging persistent harassment, extortion, and illegal confiscation of vehicles by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The demonstrators, who marched to the Ondo/Ekiti Customs Command headquarters, carried placards with messages such as “We pay duty, stop the harassment,” “Customs, uphold the law, not extortion,” and “Release our vehicles.”
According to the protesters, customs operatives often intercept vehicles on highways even after import duties have been fully paid at Lagos ports. They accused the officers of arbitrarily revaluing vehicles and demanding extra payments.
Alhaji Ibrahim Adeniyi, National Vice President of AMDON, said the protest became necessary after years of exploitation.
“They embarrass us on the road, seize our vehicles, and issue fresh bills even after clearance at the port. It’s double taxation and pure exploitation. We are here to demand our rights,” he said.
Dealers from Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun states took part in the protest. Adeniyi, however, commended the Comptroller of Customs in the state, Mrs. Queen Obazee, for engaging with the association and promising to investigate the complaints.
In a separate statement, Customs Public Relations Officer, Mr. Aondoakura Dzungwenen, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to fairness and professionalism. He disclosed that discussions had been held with AMDON representatives and measures were being taken to improve operations and avoid future disputes.
The statement also revealed that additional training has been approved for officers to enhance operational standards, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management. Customs further urged stakeholders to use official complaint channels and avoid conclusions based on unverified claims.
