By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says no amount of intimidation or harassment from unscrupulous elements in the society will prevent her from fulfilling her core duties of trade facilitation, revenue generation and suppression of smuggling.

Already, in collaboration with other security agencies, the Service is working tirelessly to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly killing of her officer, Customs Assistant II Auwal Haruna at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in the Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17, 2024, while on official duty.

As contained in a statement by the National Public Relations Officer, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi deeply mourns the incident and has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of the fallen officer.

“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) stands resolute in its condemnation of such violent acts against its officers and men,” the statement said.

“Violence against our officers,” the statement quoted the CGC as saying, ” is utterly unacceptable, and we will pursue every avenue to bring those responsible to justice.”

“The safety of our personnel and the security of our borders remain paramount. We are committed to working with traditional rulers, government bodies, and sister agencies to combat this heinous crime against our personnel.”

“Intelligence available to us indicates that certain unpatriotic community members are harbouring suspected accomplices involved in this heinous crime.

“We implore these individuals to embrace patriotism by aligning with the law and refraining from condoning illegality.”

The CGC counselled that it is in the best interest of various communities and the nation to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to root out criminal elements and ensure that justice prevails.

“The NCS urges the public to join hands in the fight against these brazen criminals. We implore the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities of these daredevil smugglers to the nearest customs formation.

“Together, we can create a safer environment for our officers and a more secure nation for all.”

The CGC reaffirmed that under his leadership, the Service remains steadfast in her commitment to combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes. The Service, he restated, will not falter in its mission to uphold the law and protect the interests of the Nigerian people.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

In response to a directive from Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone “A,” Assistant Comptroller-General Hammi Swomen, Friday, led a delegation on a condolence visit to the Jibowu, Lagos, family home of Susan Odulaja, one of the victims of the February 24 tragic stampede during the sale of 25kg bags of rice at Yaba, Lagos.

During the visit, the Zonal Coordinator expressed the NCS’s deepest condolences to the family as he recalled the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of four precious lives during the disposal of 25kg bags of rice at a reduced price of N10,000.

“We are here to support this family and demonstrate our commitment to their well-being,” he stated.

He explained that the visit was the second time the Service was reaching out to the family as a demonstration of her commitment to showing compassion and empathy to those affected by the tragedy.

“We are here on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs to support this family. This is our second visit, but it is to demonstrate our continued support to the family.” he explained.

Commiserating with the widower, Michael Odulaja, ACG Swomen pledged the NCS’ commitment to work with the family and support them continuously.

“The Service is mindful of the effects of this loss, and we have pledged to work with this family and support them continuously.”

“When you are grieving and have people around you, it reduces the trauma.”

He assured that following the visit, the delegation would report to the CGC to enable him consider, in concrete terms, the nature of intervention to embark upon, going forward.

In response, Mr Odulaja appreciated the ACG and his delegation for the visit and support, saying: “I thank God and the Nigeria Customs Service for their support. Any support that they give us, I will ensure that I use it wisely and invest it in the children.”

It is recalled that the Service issued a press statement after the unfortunate incident on the 26 of February 2024, promising to follow up with the families of the stampede victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families during this challenging time,” the statement said, “and we assure them of our unwavering support.”

“We are working with the hospital officials to establish contact and engage directly with the victims’ families on the next step.”

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

In a brief but impressive ceremony, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Monday, handed over headship of the premier command to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu.

Comptroller Olomu

The event witnessed by the Command’s stakeholders was an opportunity to pour accolades and celebrate Comptroller Jaiyeoba with many describing him as an outstanding achiever.

Recognizing his remarkable achievements within a short period of eight months, the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents (NCMDLCA) represented by the Apapa Chapter Chairman/National PRO, Mr Dominic Chukwuemeka,

presented him an award of excellence.

Describing Jaiyeoba as a silent achiever, the body joined other freight forwarding groups to extol him for displaying high level of responsibility and professionalism in leading Apapa Command to make unique revenue achievements within so short a time.

The outgoing Area Controller, they said, created a good channel for a lasting synergy and understanding between stakeholders and management of the Command with his high level of humility and professionalism.

The NCMDLCA enjoined the incoming Controller it described as an outstanding enforcement officer, to leverage on what Comptroller Jaiyeoba did to achieve his mandate, urging him to sustain and improve on the existing synergy with stakeholders.

In response, Comptroller Jaiyeoba appreciated the gesture by the stakeholders. He hailed the cooperation they and sister- agencies have brought in to jointly work to achieve their individual organizational goals and collectively making Apapa Port import-and- export friendly without undermining national security.

Recalling that the unwavering support from officers and men of the Command strengthened him, he described his achievements during the short tenure as reflective of teamwork. He enjoined all stakeholders and officers to offer same level of support and cooperation to the new Area Controller.

“As a team working together from different directions towards a common goal, we relentlessly pursued maximum collection of duty by preventing leakages, fought against smuggling and ensured that compliant traders enjoyed hitch- free clearance under customs control.

“Between January and April 2024, the Apapa Command of NCS collected a total of N672,172,624,033.03 as revenue for the federal government. We have set the ball rolling for the actualization of our target and the officers I am leaving behind are focused on this. My optimism is not misplaced because we have all proven to be tested and trusted,” he informed.

“It is noteworthy to explain that in the month of April 2024 alone, the command generated N182 billion which is a record-breaking monthly collection in the history of the Service.

“On February 23, 2024, we recorded a revenue collection milestone by generating N16,021,660,412.00. This daily collection strengthened our cumulative figure. These are laudable developments coming at a time the port is not enjoying its full import trade potentials owing to so many factors,” he said.

On his part, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu saw his task at Apapa Command as a mandate that must be delivered diligently not only in revenue collection, fight against smuggling, but also in trade facilitation and sustainable stakeholder-engagement.

He stated: “The confidence that we won’t betray the trust reposed in us by the FGN, CGC and the entire management of the Nigeria Customs Service is premised on the reality that I am taking over a very organized command, where I intend to build on the successes of my predecessor.

“While promoting a robust customs- community relation system where there will be regular interface with all government and private sector stakeholders, I shall upscale our enforcement with intelligence to ensure that only legitimate trade is allowed in Apapa Port and all the terminals within the Command.

He pledged zero tolerance for smuggling of prohibited items, concealment, and under-declaration for duty evasion.

“Just as Apapa Command is critical in Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we will revive Nigeria’s readiness for improved trade with fellow African countries and the world at large. The management of the Service is committed to evolving a more modern customs with Apapa Port being a nucleus for the implementation of many trade facilitation reforms championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs.

“I want to urge our officers to brace up for the changes that will feature as fallouts of customs modernization, otherwise called e-customs, AEO, and many other groundbreaking World Customs Organization innovations like the recently- introduced advanced ruling policy.”