Customs seek Ogun youths’ support to tackle smuggling

The Acting Controller of Ogun Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, on Monday, called on stakeholders, particularly youths of the border communities to partner with it in the enlightenment campaigns aimed at tackling the menace of smuggling in the area.

This is just as the customs boss hinted that the command had made seizures of N1.5 billion goods in the last nine months, saying that if such amount were spent on legitimate trade it would have improved the economy of the border communities and the nation at large.

Shuaibu made the call while speaking at Idiroko Border in Ipokia Local Government Area during the 5th annual symposium organised by the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration.

Speaking at the annual programme with the theme “Smuggling and Hoarding of Petroleum Products: Effects On Border Communities And National Security”, Shuaibu lamented the ceaseless attacks on NCS anti-smuggling operatives which he said had claimed many lives of the officers and left others with permanent disabilities.

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Represented by Deputy Comptroller, Charles Ogunesan, Shuaibu disclosed that the command had over the years, recorded several attacks ranging from blocking of access roads, mob action, and altercations with smugglers and their sympathisers which often result in loss of lives.

“Over the years, the command had recorded a series of horrible and unwanted experiences in our line of lawful duties. We have lost scores of officers while our dear communities have also lost many of their members to the evil of this unfortunate demon called smuggling. It is high time we say no to smuggling considering the dangers inherent in it.”

He stressed that youths’ involvement in the anti-smuggling crusade will also go a long way toward reducing the rate of avoidable deaths which the host border communities have had to live with “due to the evil of this unfortunate demon called smuggling”.

Smuggling, he said, “retards our economic development, hampers our social well-being, and endangers our national security. I want you to know that the security and development of our dear nation are the responsibility of us all”.