Tourists, who had come to relax and explore Badagry being subjected to harassment at multiple illegal checkpoints
Rep. Sesi Whingan, who represents the APC in Lagos, made a request to the various security agencies on Tuesday, requesting that they lower the number of checkpoints that are located on the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
During an oversight visit by the House Committee on Customs and Excise to the Seme Command in Badagry, Whingan, who represents the Badagry Federal Constituency, made the appeal.
The constant and excessive checks that have been installed along the road, as well as the harassment that vehicles and tourists are subjected to, are, according to him, destroying efforts to expand the tourism sector in the ancient coastal town.
He said, “Imagine tourists, who had come to relax and explore Badagry being subjected to harassment at multiple illegal checkpoints.
“There have been instances where some vehicles used by tourists, were impounded for years. These traumatic encounters are driving people away from Badagry.
“No one will want to repeat such experience.”
The lawmaker also decried the practice of certain security agencies seizing food goods from local marketplaces. He described this practice as unhelpful.
“With the current inflation and growing food insecurity, it is both insensitive and unacceptable for food items to be confiscated from local traders. It only compounds the suffering of our people.”
The controller of the Seme Area Command, Dr. Benedict Oramalugo, said that the command had been attempting to decrease checks and acknowledged the complaints voiced.
“The customs service has reduced its presence along the expressway but we remain equally concerned about the proliferation of checkpoints on the same route.
“I urge this committee to also call the attention of other sister security agencies to this matter.”