The Ogun State Chapter of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has raised alarm over the persistent harassment and extortion of its members by security agencies, government officials, and even community groups while transporting cashew nuts within the state.
The Consultant on Special Duties for NCAN in Ogun State Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi disclosed this during a press conference held in Abeokuta on Monday.
Akinlabi revealed that cashew traders are subjected to multiple illegal levies at numerous roadblocks, making business operations increasingly difficult and costly.
He explained that Ogun State produced approximately 9,500 metric tonnes of cashew nuts in the past year worth over 19 billion naira contributing significantly to the local and national economy through tax payments and export levies.
He added that despite their legitimate contributions, merchants face relentless demands for unofficial payments while moving goods from farms to warehouses.
“Our members are being forced to cough out different amounts of money, depending on the tonnage of the Cashew, the mood of those manning the road blocks and check points which they have turned to business centres or the negotiating power of drivers conveying the goods”he stated.
The Consultant described the situation along the Ilara–Imeko–Obada-Olorunda–Ayetoro–Abeokuta Rounder road as particularly alarming, with about 43 roadblocks set up by various agencies, including 15 by the Police, three by the Nigerian Army, 19 by the Nigerian Customs, two by Immigration, and two by the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service.
“For example a truck driver moving 30 tons of Cashew from Ilara in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of the state through Abeokuta, the State capital to a warehouse in Lagos state will have to part with between 600,000 and 650,000 (six hundred and six hundred fifty) naira! at the multiple checkpoints and roadblocks mounted by both uniformed and non uniformed persons”.
NCAN listed several groups involved in the alleged extortion, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Customs Service, the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, officials of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, the Parks and Garages Development Board, local government task forces, and state ministries responsible for environment, commerce, and transport.
The association also accused some community development associations (CDAs) of demanding illegal fees.
Akinlabi claimed that refusal to comply with the illegal payments leads to unnecessary delays, intimidation, and even threats to personal safety.
He warned that the situation is not only hurting their business but also contradicting the federal government’s push for agricultural development and economic growth.
He said the association is calling for urgent intervention from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant authorities to put an end to the harassment and extortion.
“Cashew is not a contraband or smuggled product, Save our business from collapsing because of extortion. We are begging the relevant authorities to look into this problem and put a stop to the trend because extortion is adding to the high cost of transportation of Cashew and reducing our production capacity and many of our members can no longer supply directly to international companies in Lagos and other neighbouring states.”
The association warned that if the situation persists, many cashew merchants may be forced out of business, affecting job creation, foreign exchange earnings, and the overall agricultural sector in Ogun State.
“Enough is enough, we can not continue to work to feed illegal tax collectors on the roads, let the relevant authorities rescue us from extortion that is killing our business so that we can prosper and contribute our quota to National development. “
