The Nigeria Customs Service has announced a reduction in the number of checkpoints along the Idiroko border road in Ogun State. The Idiroko border road is a crucial route linking Sango, Owode, and Idiroko to Benin Republic.

Commuters have been raising concerns about the excess number of checkpoints, both legal and illegal, along the path. They have also been lamenting the level of extortion by security agencies, especially between Ajilete and Ajegunle.

However, the Controller of the Ogun 1 Area Command of NCS, Bamidele Makinde, has said the number of checkpoints has been reduced for trade facilitation purposes.

At a press conference in Abeokuta, Makinde said he coordinated with other security agents to ensure the number of security barricades along Idiroko border is reduced to its bare minimum. Documentation has also been fast-tracked to avoid unnecessary delays.

As a result of these efforts, the transportation of goods along the route has become comfortable, and there are no disturbances from security agents.

The reduction in the number of checkpoints has come as a welcome relief to commuters along the border who have always complained of three times too many checkpoints, which lead to extortion and delayed transportation of goods.

“We have taken this step alongside the Commissioner of Police, the Director of DSS to reduce the number of checkpoints considerably. If you come to Idiroko for genuine and legitimate business, no one will disturb you,” the customs boss said.