The Coordinator of the Joint Border Drill Operations, code named “Swift Response” Sector 3, Ilorin, Kwara State; Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba has said that Nigeria Customs Service has discovered new antics of smugglers.
Garba said following the ongoing partial closure of Nigerian borders, some die-hard smugglers and economic saboteurs have devised new means of using bush-paths, motorbikes and camels to smuggle items in to Nigeria,
He dropped this hint during his recent visit to the Emirate Councils and Border Communities of Ilesha-Baruba, Yashkira, Chikanda and Okuta axis of Baruten Local Government area of Kwara State as part of measures to curb smuggling.
The Coordinator (JBOD) who also embarked on a three (3) days sensitization Program to border communities along Kaiama,Jebba-Mokwa-Wawa-Babanna-Kotangora axis of Kwara and Niger States respectively, informed stakeholders and Traditional leaders of the various aforementioned communities of the Government’s frantic efforts to bring all perpetrators to book.
Garba, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara command, Chado Zakari, and made available to journalists in kwara state, vehemently condemned such stance and pledged that there is no retreat on the fight against smuggling in whatever disguise.
He appealed to the community, District Heads and the general public to embrace legitimate means of livelihood and to avoid smuggling in all its ramifications.
He declared that the Sector 3 eagle eye is all around these axis and other axis, pledging that they are battle ready to halt all the new techniques initiated by economic saboteurs to perpetuate their illicit acts.
The coordinator also announced that the movement of all types of vehicles/Boat used for transportation of Petroleum Products across the land borders and water ways within20KM radius has been restricted, warning that anyone caught violating this order will be prosecuted and jailed.
The statement said the Sector 3, Border Drill Operations covers North Central States-Kwara, Niger, Kogi and Benue State; revealing that Compt. Uba Garba recently redeployed Customs personnel posted to various States for effective performance.
It added that the coordinator took his time to visit all the check-points and met with Border Drill officers, DSS, Police, Immigration and all heads of security agencies involved in these operations.
A prepared and signed codeof conduct that contains “Dos and Don’ts” was handed over to each and every officer and warned that anyone found violating the code, concealing information, compromising or engaging in any act contrary to or to the detriment of the operations will be shown the way out.
He charged them to tame all the vices that might likelytoy with the steering wheel and progress of the country.
The tour of the Sector Coordinator is expected to continue with the sensitization program to other communities in Kogi State and Ogoja/Adipo axis of Benue State.
In their respective remarks, the stakeholder and traditional rulers visited applauded the coordinator for choosing traditional institutions as his focal point, who are the grass root mobilizers, for his sensitization program and prayed for the peace and progress of the country.
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