The Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila has reached out to traditional rulers and sister agencies at the border communities to achieve his mandate of detection, deterrence of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Tunde Ayagbalo said on Saturday that the comptroller went on a tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
At the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, Kaila condoled with the royal family and the entire people of Badagry Kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well-recognised traditional ruler across the border communities.
He explained: The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling. We in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers.”
The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request. Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade.”
Also, he visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities
Okoya said: “I welcome you to Badagry and be assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need arises. In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice but to assist you in achieving the government mandate.”
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well-respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
Ajose said: “I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need. Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better.”
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited the Headquarters of the 653 Nigerian Air Force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu, expressed the readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
Medugu added: “Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility. Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted.”
The comptroller ended his familiarisation tour by seeking mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
