Ogun 1 Customs Is Always Committed To Defend Nigeria’s Borders While Promoting Legitimate Trade
Ogun 1 Customs Is Always Committed To Defend Nigeria’s Borders While Promoting Legitimate Trade
By Okezie Nnadi
The Ag. Controller Ogun 1 Customs Command, DC Olukayode Afeni has stated that despite the tough nature of engaging in enforcement activities at the orders which has been made more precarious by incessant attacks by daredevil smugglers, the officers and Men of the Ogun 1 command are ever ready to discharge their duty by defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria,while also promoting legitimate trade.
Comptroller Afeni spoke with Maritime Connect in an interview said his Command has put its hands on the plough, leveraging intelligence to curb Drug abuse among the teeming youths. This he said has become necessary as a result of the recent upsurge in Drug abuse cases among the youths.
The Ag. Area Controller, Ogun 1 Customs Command, Idiroko, DC Olukayode Afeni while fielding questions from Journalists, said that his Command is leveraging on intelligence to ensure that drugs or substances which are considered to be dangerous and harmful to the youths who are the primary consumers of such products, like Narcotics, some over the counter prescription Drug which come in through the borders and other dangerous Pharmaceuticals do not find their way into the country through the Idiroko/Igolo route.
Speaking further on the problem of curbing Smuggling at the border, Controller Afeni stated that the Idiroko – Igolo corridor is a challenging area to manage due to numerous smuggling routes and difficult topography. To address this according to him, the command has established an intelligence network to track smugglers and minimize casualties. Our strategy is to allow smugglers to flow in, gather intelligence, and then allow them to trickle down, cluster and then we strike them when they are at their weakest point, that way, their will be no or minimal casualties especially on the Customs end. “This he said is because smugglers do not give a hoot whose ox is gored, so to minimize casualties, we employed this strategy to avoid unnecessary deaths and injuries on all sides.
Furthermore, Afeni said that the Customs is also taking a different approach, using Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR) to help and further draw closer to the people and to also show them other legitimate ways to earn a living.” we are working to consolidate on the successes of our predecessors and collaborate with communities. For example, we’re implementing Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, such as teaching citizens skills like, sewing, the and dye, garry making, hair dressing, Fashion designing and soap-making to empower them and reduce smuggling. There’s also the Art festival which we just finished, this was its fifth edition and the people are really warming up to this.This is to tell them that Smuggling is bad, but also let them know through acquisition of skills that there are other ways to make money.
We’re also engaging with locals, youths, and students to raise awareness about the dangers of smuggling and promote a culture of compliance,” he explained.
On the motivation of his officers to continue to fight against these daredevil smugglers, Afeni said, his officers are always motivated to defend their father land at all times because if they allow arms and ammunition to come into the country, you never can tell who the victim will be.
“Our officers are motivated and encouraged to defend Nigeria against smugglers. We’re providing incentives and support to ensure they effectively carry out their duties. The incentives are there, the Nigeria Customs is doing very well to defend this country, they equal to the task and the Customs Management led by the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is doing everything within its powers to ensure that everyone is taken care of.”
Even though the Idiroko Customs Command is not a revenue generating area, it still makes some significant revenue remittances to the federal coffer. Speaking about this, the Ag. Area Controller said “the area is not a significant revenue generator, but we’re focusing on enforcement and assessments. We’re optimistic that infrastructure improvements will enhance our operations.
Controller Afeni also revealed that the Idiroko-Igolo border has been open for a long while now and there has been movement of goods and persons in and across the border on both sides.
“On those Benin bound made in Nigeria products, we’re working to streamline procedures and facilitate legitimate trade while preventing abuse. We have always ensured that whatever goods leaving the shores of Nigeria via this axis is legitimately done and duties collected at the baggage. We however understand that the Lilypond export Command is export designated, so we assist we the little we can handle through this area.”
Afeni reiterated that the Nigeria customs Service, Ogun 1 command is always committed to defending Nigeria’s borders while promoting economic growth.
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