By Yusuf Odejobi
The National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Deputy Controller Joseph Attah has stressed that the lives of Customs officers also matter, as he posited that the media gives little or no publicity to the death of officers compared to when a member of a community is killed.
Attah, who was speaking during an exclusive chat with MMS Plus, also stated that fellow citizens aid smugglers with information and secret paths to follow and sneak out to neighbouring countries.
He observed that some smugglers sponsor youths in border communities and avail them machetes and guns to engage Customs officers in battles which always resulted in various degrees of injuries on both sides and at times death.
While speaking on the dangers of smuggling, he noted that the problem is part of the reasons Made-in-Nigeria Products are rejected.
“Smuggling means the product didn’t pass through the required process. That’s why we’ve been sensitizing people against smuggling. The borders are porous, people pass through the bush, there are some people along the borderline, with small handsets, their duty is to call smugglers to tell them about the movements of our patrol teams, all these contribute to economic sabotage.” he said.
