Nigerians react over Customs raid on Abuja hotel

Nigerians have condemned the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) following the recent raid of its officers on a hotel, Fraser suites, in Abuja.

The Customs officers had on Wednesday, invaded Fraser Suites in Abuja and prevented foreign diplomats and guests who had lodged in the hotel from going out, and other customers were also not allowed into the hotel.

The officers, according to sources had trained some suspects into the hotel.

However, while some Nigerians reacting on Twitter, condemned the action of the Customs officials, some were in support of it, while others were indifferent about it.

A Twitter user with the username Mazi (@matthewamad), had reported the incident on his page, and it triggered other reactions.

According to Mazi, he said: “Happening Now: Customs Officers just invaded Fraser Suites in Abuja, preventing foreign diplomats and guests lodged in the hotel from coming in or going out. They are harassing and ordering the staff to wake guests up from sleep to identify their cars & show Customs duty. This is bad! https://twitter.com/matthewamad/status/1179547077803675648

“Keep driving away investors.

“By the time Buhari is done, Somalia’s economy will be better than Nigeria’s. How do you invade a 5-star hotel asking for Customs duty of cars? Who cleared them in the first instance?”

https://twitter.com/matthewamad/status/1179547082186731521

This has brought about different reactions from different users on the microblogging platform.

Former Presidential candidate, Oby Ezekwesili(@obyezeks) said: “Wow. I did not even see this evidence of weird Policies by this @NGRPresident when my tweet on Bad Policies went out this morning.

“This is not bad. This is crazy Policy. It will decline an economy already gasping for breath more. I need to have an intern compile crazy policies.”

A user identified as Adekunle Adewusi with the username @blaiq_media12 said: “Which lie please am I bringing in… the shut land borders here in the south but you never asked yourself what’s going on in the northern border… please let’s be informed and know what’s going on… don’t include tribe of sentiment, forget my name I’m a full-pledged northern breed

“What nonsense is this again? After independence nitori olorun. We need to be recolonized this time by North Korea.”

Another user, Donat Nathan(@CEODonat), said: “‏The government does not know this type of action has a chain reaction that can affect the economy negatively. To them, they are fighting corruption. How can you close your shop n start chasing thieves instead of you to install CCTV or employ security? Nigeria is off the rail!!!”

Bonaventure Anselm (@Bona_Anselm) in his reply to Mazi’s tweet said, “I saw them checking car dealers along Kubwa road, and am sure the dealers will probably still have cars from years back.

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“Every policy that have been made are all targeted at killing businesses.

“I wonder what his ultimate plan is, infest all citizens with poverty?”

Another Twitter user, WaleGbemms (@Walesupo) said, “I was with a foreigner yesterday. He said Nigerians deserve everything that’s happening because we never complain about anything.

“Even when you criticise Govt your fellow Nigerians are ready to reign curses on your death great-grandma. For now, Nigeria is bequeathed to politicians.”

https://twitter.com/WaleSupo/status/1179647130039967744

Benjamin O. Imhanlueku (@smilingben7) said: “The Hotel Management Should Take It Up Legally With
@CustomsNG”

What Happened To The Car Dealers And Their Shops? Except For Some Reasons That A Car Was Trailed There And Even At That, Personally I Don’t Think It’s Within The Jurisdiction Of @CustomsNG To Invade A Hotel.”

Eyelalumende (@Eyelalumende) said, “Custom officer will release consignment after examination and sign another custom officer (FOU) federal Operation Unit will stop the consignment on top of Ijora Bridge or Mile 2 and seize the same consignment. It is happening every day. Let’s talk about customs.”

Ditapet Relocations Service,(@dtrelocations) sai,”This administration is a shame with plenty of law makers who are thieves and only mindful of there pockets.. why cant they integrate a system whereby it will be impossible to get a plate number without complete payment of duty after which they would have there officials on check.”

Segun Adeoye(@seagad01) said: “Border has been closed, those guys are broke, they’ve got to do something similar to their duty just to raise some bribes. They’re not doing that for the economy but for their selfish interest.”

Olamide, @olajideobe in his replying to @matthewamad and @eketiette said: “Bad is an understatement.

“The international communities are watching us.

“Reasonable foreign investors will not choose a country where intimidation is the order of the day and rule of law is not followed.

“No wonder we keep attracting crooks like PI&D”

Mr Wealth(@safetracktech) said, “You all calm down…Buhari can’t be everywhere,he isn’t the custom CG.

“Besides, they might have received intelligence concerning some criminals around the area. You will be the one castigating them if they ain’t doing their job.”