March 05, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has charged residents of border communities in Illela Local Government Area, Sokoto state, to be patriotic and shun smuggling activities.
The newly deployed Customs Area Controller, Sokoto/Zamfara Command, Comptroller Kamal Mohammed, gave the advice when visiting Illela Border Station in preparation for reopening the border, in compliance with the ECOWAS sanction lift.
Mohammed, who was in the company of other senior officers, said the visit to the border Station is to ensure all is set, in anticipation of the last order to lift ECOWAS sanctions on the Niger Republic officially.
“It is on this premise I came to ensure all is set towards the re-opening of the Illela Border. We are awaiting the last order.”
The Controller, however, charged stakeholders and Security Agencies at the border station with the need for synergy and cooperation in the area of intelligence, information sharing and joint operation towards safeguarding the nation’s border.
He noted that with more collaboration, each agency would be able to effectively and efficiently fulfill its assigned mandate and responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s territory.
The Area Controller further appreciated the Customs Licence Agents for their patience during the seven-month border closure, saying, “We know it has not been easy for you, but God willing it will soon become history”.
Comptroller Mohammed also thanked the Illela Community for their hospitality. He announced that the Service has awarded the construction of a primary healthcare facility at the Border station, saying “When completed it will cater for both officers and the Illela community.”
Highlights of the tour included homage paid to the District Head of Sarkin Gwadabawa, HRH Lawan Zayyanu, where the need to educate his community against the menace of smuggling to the country’s economy was stressed.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
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