The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated a sum higher than what the command had collected in any month between 2013 and 2014 as a result of the improved fight against smuggling in the command.
According to a letter signed by the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of the command, Ernest Olottah, the command collected a total of N963, 796, 422. 22 as revenue in the month of September, 2014 which he said was the highest made between 2013 and 2014.
He said, the Customs Area Controller, Willy Egbudin of the command is deploying all personnel and available logistics to intensive vehicular and foot patrols along the border lines and all routes including non-motorable areas.
According to the report, “These patrols and other anti smuggling activities are paying off as unrepentant smugglers are fleeing the area to attempt their illegalities in other areas where they are likely to meet resistance and seizures by our sister commands.
“Pursuant to an earlier directive by the Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde, CFR that all customs commands and formations join in the national fight against Ebola, our operatives are working with the basic anti Ebola protective gears. This was confirmed by recent statement made by Comptroller Egbudin,” the report read.
Quoting the Area Controller, the report stated, ”In line with my CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, we are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Seme Border becomes and remains a no go area to perpetrators of smuggling and other unlawful activities. Seme will continue to be unsafe for them as we are increasing our intelligence on a daily basis on their movements which we share with other commands to achieve the same goal.”
The Comptroller added that ” We will keep this tempo into and beyond the forth coming yuletide season. Our close tie with the border communities under a reinforced Customs Community Relations Forum will be sustained as we are employing enlightenment and persuasion as tools for zero casualty in achieving our anti smuggling drive. We are happy that some traditional rulers, community chiefs, youth leaders and residents of border communities are cooperating with us in the strive to protect our national economy and ensure security of our people”
”We are in close liaison with the Port Health Service, other government and non government bodies to sustain Nigeria’s Ebola free status. Aside the regular check of travelers and traders moving along our border route, we also ensure that our operatives adhere to all anti Ebola directives.”
”Our vigilance against Ebola is premised on the fact that Seme Border is the busiest land frontier in West Africa with the highest movement of persons in and out of the evolving mega city of Lagos. We are not taking chances” Egbudin concluded.
Egbudin reiterated that the functions of the officers and men of the command in suppressing smuggling, collection of revenue and facilitating legitimate trade will not be compromised.
