Smuggler's Paradise: The Story of Nigeria’s Vehicle Smuggling Network
Smugglers’ Paradise: The story of Nigeria’s vehicle smuggling network
Recently, the federal government lifted ban on importation of vehicles via the nation’s land borders thus prompting speculations of automatic decline in vehicle smuggling across the country’s borders. However, contrary to expectations, smuggling still thrives across the nation’s entry points. Olatunji Ololade, Assistant Editor, takes a journey into the world of smugglers while examining the status quo of Nigeria’s automobile industry.
Few men are born with a will like Babatunde Banjo’s. The 35-year-old vehicle smuggler affects a rare spirit. Before he established his car dealership, Banjo was just another hustler, a border mercenary desperate for his own gig. But first, he had to learn to “fly with cars.” Then he perfected the art of “flying with cars” and Banjo would work no other calling. Soon, he overcame the fear of border patrols and their bullets and determinedly, he careened through customs and police checkpoints along the Idi-Iroko border in order to get his merchandise into the country every two weeks and get closer to his dream. Now he is living his dream. Among other things, he owns a vehicle sales outlet, a retinue of rogue drivers and border mercenaries, an awesome reputation with law enforcement agents and border officials and the fear and envy of fellow smugglers.
According to Banjo, “It has not been easy. Vehicle smuggling is very dangerous. It claims lives. There is always so much to worry about. The most important thing is to establish an understanding with the customs and police officers manning the border… We always settle them,” he said. But at times, even that understanding peter out and the smuggler have to brave the border patrol bullets, swampy forests, ditches and thickets dotting the 59 illegal routes along the border, often at the expense of his men and the merchandise.
Although the government has lifted the ban on the importation of used-cars through the
Recently, the federal government lifted ban on importation of vehicles via the nation’s land borders thus prompting speculations of automatic decline in vehicle smuggling across the country’s borders. However, contrary to expectations, smuggling still thrives across the nation’s entry points. Olatunji Ololade, Assistant Editor, takes a journey into the world of smugglers while examining the status quo of Nigeria’s automobile industry.
Few men are born with a will like Babatunde Banjo’s. The 35-year-old vehicle smuggler affects a rare spirit. Before he established his car dealership, Banjo was just another hustler, a border mercenary desperate for his own gig. But first, he had to learn to “fly with cars.” Then he perfected the art of “flying with cars” and Banjo would work no other calling. Soon, he overcame the fear of border patrols and their bullets and determinedly, he careened through customs and police checkpoints along the Idi-Iroko border in order to get his merchandise into the country every two weeks and get closer to his dream. Now he is living his dream. Among other things, he owns a vehicle sales outlet, a retinue of rogue drivers and border mercenaries, an awesome reputation with law enforcement agents and border officials and the fear and envy of fellow smugglers.
According to Banjo, “It has not been easy. Vehicle smuggling is very dangerous. It claims lives. There is always so much to worry about. The most important thing is to establish an understanding with the customs and police officers manning the border… We always settle them,” he said. But at times, even that understanding peter out and the smuggler have to brave the border patrol bullets, swampy forests, ditches and thickets dotting the 59 illegal routes along the border, often at the expense of his men and the merchandise.
Although the government has lifted the ban on the importation of used-cars through the