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| CAC Willy Egbudin |
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
said it realised N963 million as revenue in the month of September, even as it
declares the border area as ‘unsafe’ for smugglers.
said it realised N963 million as revenue in the month of September, even as it
declares the border area as ‘unsafe’ for smugglers.
Comptroller Willy Egbudin, who is in charge of the
command, disclosed that the amount was the highest collected by the command
between 2013 and September 2014.
command, disclosed that the amount was the highest collected by the command
between 2013 and September 2014.
He said the command had also intensified efforts in
its fight against smuggling activities, ensuring a ‘no escape operational mode’
against violators.
its fight against smuggling activities, ensuring a ‘no escape operational mode’
against violators.
“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,” he said.
intensive vehicular and foot patrols along the border lines and all routes
including non motorable areas,” he said.
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| Some seized bags of rice |
According to him, the patrols and other anti-smuggling activities
are paying off as unrepentant smugglers are fleeing the area.
are paying off as unrepentant smugglers are fleeing the area.
”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 for perpetrators of smuggling and other unlawful activities.
leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Seme Border becomes and remains a no
go area for 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.
intelligence on a daily basis on their movements, which we share with other
commands to achieve the same goal.
”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.
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
effort to protect our national economy and ensure security of our people,” he
said.
leaders and residents of border communities are cooperating with us in the
effort to protect our national economy and ensure security of our people,” he
said.
The comptroller noted that as directed by the Comptroller-General
of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, that all customs commands and formations join
in the fight against Ebola, operatives of the command were working with the basic anti-Ebola
protective gears.
of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko, that all customs commands and formations join
in the fight against Ebola, operatives of the command were working with the basic anti-Ebola
protective gears.
”We are in close liaison with the Port Health Service, other
government and non- governmental 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.”
government and non- governmental 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 added.
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 added.
He reiterated that the command’s functions of suppressing smuggling,
collection of revenue and facilitation of legitimate trade will not be compromised.
collection of revenue and facilitation of legitimate trade will not be compromised.
