The Jibia Traders Union has described Barrister Abdulrashid A. Jalli as a “contract agent for inciting discord” between traders in Jibia and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), warning that it will institute legal action if he fails to retract statements the union says could undermine commercial activities and development in Jibia Local Government Area.
In a statement, the union dismissed claims circulating in some media outlets that Barrister Jalli had formally petitioned the Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Area Command, over alleged extortion and misconduct along the Jibia–Katsina road. The union said the petition reportedly dated December 31, 2025, contains questionable, misleading, and unfounded allegations.
Speaking during an interview with Hikaya Newspaper on behalf of the union, its Chairman, Alhaji Sama’ila Mai Masara, said the allegation that customs officers mounted multiple checkpoints to illegally collect money from traders and transporters is untrue and does not reflect the experiences of business operators moving goods between Jibia and Katsina. He also denied claims that goods are seized or transport unduly delayed for refusing to pay illegal levies, insisting there is no evidence to support such assertions.
Alhaji Mai Masara added that for over a year, neither traders nor residents of Jibia Local Government Area have lodged any complaint against the Nigeria Customs Service over corruption, human rights abuses, or obstruction of lawful trade. He emphasized that customs officials allow traders to operate within the law, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, describing Barrister Jalli’s remarks as an attempt to stir conflict and tension to serve the interests of a few individuals.
In a similar vein, the Secretary of the Jibia Traders Union, Alhaji Haruna Sada Zare, warned Barrister Jalli to immediately withdraw his statements, stressing that failure to do so would compel the union to seek legal redress against him.
He said the union possesses evidence showing that there is currently no harassment of traders by customs officers on the Katsina–Jibia road, provided transporters comply with national laws, and affirmed the union’s readiness to cooperate with any credible investigation.
The union recalled that on March 5, 2024, trucks carrying essential commodities resumed supply to Jibia market following joint measures introduced by the Katsina State Government to ease transportation challenges.
It noted that these interventions helped revive the local economy after years of scarcity, high prices, and migration of families, warning that any narrative capable of reversing these gains should be avoided.