The primary objective of the exercise, according to Mr. Dotun Shonde, general manager of the NIPOST’s Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD), was to sanitize the industry, which he claimed had been corrupted by unlicensed and illegal operators across the country.

“There abound the issue of public safety and security threat due to carriage of illicit drugs and prohibited items like small arms and ammunition, guns, gold, monies and obscene items.

“There exist unethical sharp practices, such as price undercutting, pilfering, broaching, damages, loss and dumping of customers items, poaching and subletting of operating licenses with mountain of public complaints about customer’s being duped or obtaining money from them under false pretenses, no traceable office address nor registered brand name.

“Overloading and carriage of items above the stipulated 50kg, which has created and increased public disdain towards this noble profession, is worrisome,” he said.

More than 200 unlicensed operators have reportedly been found in Katsina alone, according to Mr. Shonde.

He claimed that the majority of them were served demand notices but ignored them, adding that NIPOST would not let up until the industry was sane.

He warned anyone who had sincere business intentions to meet the law’s requirements and register with NIPOST or risk legal repercussions.

Meanwhile, some of the suspected unlicensed and illegal operators had their offices sealed, while others had their motorcycles used for delivery, dispatch, and courier services seized until they comply with the rules now in effect and the registration process established in Nigeria.