KATSINA, Nigeria — Residents of Magamar Jibia community in Katsina State, situated along the Nigeria-Niger border, are crying out over what they describe as daily rights violations by unidentified officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, residents claimed they were being treated like foreigners in their own country, citing frequent harassment and extortion by security operatives, particularly the men of NCS.
Dayyabu Muhammad, a local resident, recounted his experience: “Whenever we buy grains, especially maize, security operatives block us on our way to our communities around the border area. In most cases, I spend not less than N12,000 extra before reaching home whenever I am conveying goods bought for consumption.”
Muhammad revealed that security operatives set up as many as 37 checkpoints along the 47-kilometre stretch from Katsina to Jibia.
“At each checkpoint, they extort money from us,” he alleged.
The complaints don’t stop at extortion; residents also claim that despite the heavy security presence, their community remains vulnerable to bandit attacks.
Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, another resident, noted, “When bandits attack, they hardly come at the right time. In spite of the numerous checkpoints, the bandits find their way to come and attack us.”
Musa expressed his frustration with the ineffectiveness of the checkpoints: “These are the places they should block, not the road,” he said, referring to known illegal routes used by bandits.
The closure of the Nigeria-Niger border has compounded the economic hardships faced by the community.
Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad, a local spare parts dealer, said he had closed his business due to the lack of patronage since the border closure.
“Most of my customers come from Niger Republic and other communities around, but the insecurity has hindered them from coming,” he explained.
Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Tahir Balarabe, the Spokesman for NCS in Katsina State, advised residents to report any officer demanding bribes.
“The command has been doing its best to sanitize its operations. We are always ready to deal with any of its operatives found wanting,” he said.
Yet, with hunger, insecurity, and economic despair escalating in the community, residents wonder when they will truly see actions that match the promises.
They call on government at all levels, security agencies, and politicians to address the spiraling security problems and economic hardships.
“This is about our survival,” said Dayyabu Muhammad. “As Nigerians, we should be able to buy food items from the city and take them to our families without being harassed.”
Residents feel ignored by politicians who only appear during election cycles, and they demand immediate and meaningful interventions before the situation worsens.
