Nigerians have been reacting to a video of Ibrahim Egungbohun Dende’s (aka IBD Dende) encounter with some officials of the Nigeria Customs Service. 

IBD Dende was seen in a video, which has now gone viral, allegedly threatening to attack an Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) who intercepted his goods.

Read also: Hardship: How rice smugglers nearly killed me, customs officer narrates in court

The incident, which occurred in January, preceded the Foundation of Investigative Journalism, FIJ’s undercover report exposing the collaboration between Customs bosses and smugglers. 

In these @fijnigeria videos, IBD Dende, the most notorious smuggler in the South West, can be seen threatening to kill a Customs officer who seized his smuggled goods.

The officer he would have harmed had he not been restrained is an Assistant Superintendent of Customs.

Some… pic.twitter.com/rJUoa2NP5P

— 'Fisayo Soyombo (@fisayosoyombo) March 1, 2024

However, IBD Dende vehemently denying involvement in smuggling, accused FIJ of character assassination.

 

Reacting to IBD Dende, FIJ unveiled exclusive footage of Dende’s threat, showcasing IBD Dende and the Customs officials.

Reactions

Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have been making their reactions known to the government and the general public about the development.

@gbemight0 tweeted, “That’s why they said it’s easier to make money in Nigeria than abroad because illegal things are legal for the rich.”

@IbroEzekiel stated, “This is painful. Even more painful is that with all these revelations, these people will walk free in this our dear country. Pathetic!”

@shemmie007 tweeted, “If Nigerian artistes are singing your praise, there’s a 98% possibility that the source of your wealth is not only questionable but also rotten.”

@GracedUp1 said, “Na Customs officer come dey ask “What did I do?” Na wa o.”

@OyakhireTaiye tweeted, “When power jam power, the one with less power go bow.

“Customs wey dey threaten people all over major highways dey ask “what have I done?” Lmaoooooo!”

Recall that an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Mr Amos Ekundayo told a Federal High Court in Ibadan how a gang of rice smugglers attempted to kill him after shooting him in the head.

Ekundayo was led in evidence by Mr Michael Osug, the prosecution in the case filed against two suspected rice smugglers; Waliu Ayodeji and Lateef Odugbemi before Justice E.K. Akpan on Friday.

Vanguard gathered that Ayodeji and Odugbemi were apprehended on May 22 2023 at Igbo ora area of Oyo State.