By Steve Oni, Ilorin
Nigerians have again been urged to strive not to run foul of the rules of the partial border closure meant to enhance security across the country, encourage the local farmers and local industries to thrive so that they would be able to provide job opportunities for the nation’s teeming youth.
The Coordinator, Joint Border Drill Operations Sector 3, North Central Zone, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, who made the call over the weekend in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, at an interactive session with Textiles, Shoes, Veils and Market Women Association, explained that If the environment is not secured,
revenue generation and collection would be a mirage for Nigeria Customs
Service and the country as a whole.
Garba said the session was called to reemphasise his mission in the sector which he emphasised was to enforce the federal government’s directives and policies on the partial border closure, adding that movements of persons with valid travel documents from 6am to 6pm was still in force while illegal migration would be checked.
The Coordinator, who warned members of the association not to patronise or sell smuggled goods, particularly admonished textile materials dealers that are buying their goods from Kano to always have a copy of Single Goods Declaration Form (SGD) used and ensure that they pay for their goods from the original importers to prevent the seizure of their goods.
Garba urged the association to partner with the sector by adequately sensitising their members on the danger and dire consequences of smuggling when caught, believing that such sensitisation was capable of dissuading smugglers, those patronising them and those working against the interest of the nation.
He explained that Section 147 of the Customs and Excise Law gives power to Customs officers to search and raid any premises suspected to be housing smuggled goods, warning that any shop, company or house identified to be stocked with smuggled goods would not be spared.
In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s transformation agenda,
especially in the area of security, he said the service was committed to
protecting the borders from infiltration of dangerous weapons and destructive materials.
The Coordinator listed the achievements of Sector 3 since the partial border closure to include reduction in smuggling of illicit arms used for terrorism/crime, illegal drugs, and substandard foods with potential to cause health hazards and reduction in human/child trafficking and illegal migration, as well as reduction in the quantity of PMS consumed daily in Nigeria by about 10 million litres.
Garba listed the recently seized contraband goods by the Sector to include 12,255 bags of rice, 252,000 litres of PMS, 6,617 litres of AGO, 177 vehicles, 80 motorcycles, 11 Illicit weapons, while 160 illegal migrants were also arrested, putting the estimated monetary values of the seized items at N703.7m.
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