A Nigerian real estate entrepreneur, Ambassador Babatunde Adeyemo, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the unchecked excesses of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) operatives, particularly their reckless use of firearms against civilians.
Adeyemo, who narrowly escaped a potentially fatal encounter with Customs officers on December 8, 2024, in Ogun State, recounted his ordeal while hosting widows during a Boxing Day event at The Podium, Pelican Valley Estate, Laderin, Abeokuta.
The event marked the first anniversary of his philanthropic initiative, Oko Opo Foundation, dedicated to empowering widows, orphans, and the less privileged.
Recounting the harrowing incident, Adeyemo said: “On Sunday, December 8, I was returning from the grand finale of the Ibese Asakanran Day festival, where I served as the Chairman of the occasion. As my vehicle passed a Customs checkpoint at Ibara-Orile, we suddenly heard a gunshot.
“The bullet pierced the back of my car, damaged the back seat, and was ultimately stopped by a laptop placed directly behind me. Had it not been for God’s mercy, I might not have survived that incident.”
He continued: “This traumatic experience underscores the urgent need for accountability within the Nigeria Customs Service. Overzealous officers cannot be allowed to jeopardize lives under the guise of enforcing the law.”
During the Boxing Day event, over 150 widows received free medical screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar levels, medications, food items, and cash palliatives to make their festive season memorable. Adeyemo expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal, stating:
“God’s mercy spared my life, allowing me to continue empowering widows and orphans through this foundation. If not for divine intervention, this celebration could have taken a tragic turn.”
Adeyemo did not stop at narrating his experience but called on President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and relevant authorities to investigate and address allegations of incessant abuse by Customs officers in Ogun communities.
He emphasized the need for urgent reforms within the NCS to align with global best practices and prevent future tragedies.
“While law enforcement agents are crucial for societal order and revenue generation, their actions must not endanger the lives they are meant to protect. It’s high time the government weeded out bad eggs from the system, compensated victims without unnecessary bureaucracy, and instituted lasting reforms.”
The real estate mogul vowed to continue advocating against these anomalies, not just for himself but for countless families who have suffered losses due to the recklessness of law enforcement officers.
“We cannot continue to tolerate this impunity. Our society must prioritize the sanctity of human life over revenue pursuits,” he concluded
