By Shehu Yahaya
Smuggling activities in Nigeria has really affected the economy in several ways. It hinders the local industry, discourages legal imports and reduces the volume of revenues collected from duties and levies by the states.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/jigawa command is taking proactive measures to curb smuggling activities in the area by deploying competent officers across the command.
The current intelligence driven operation of the command is not only in line with the operational ethics of the service, but also in line with international best practices. It is therefore worthy of note that confrontation with the smugglers which hitherto used to be between officers and smugglers is a thing of the past.
Since the assumption of office in January 2023, Comptroller Sambo Kaliel Dangaladima, took decisive measures by deploying competent officers at the border of Maigatari, Gumel, Babura and Kano town and others.
The move has continued to yielded tremendous success as seizures of contrabands are being recorded on a weekly basis while the smugglers are now counting their losses.
There are numerous seizures such as imported parboiled rice, cartons of Spaghetti, second hand clothes etc seized from daredevil smugglers despite their antics to gain passage.
The Operatives of Kano/ Jigawa area Command while on credible intelligence intercepted 1,395 bags of parboiled rice , 47 motor vehicles 928 cartons of Spaghetti/macaroni/cous-cous
284 second hand clothes
1,135 kegs of vegetable oil amongst others
The command say it’s generated over N15 billion revenue in the period under review,
In his maiden address to the officers when he assumed duty as the CAC, Dangalima, disclosed that the Command is poised to conduct its assigned responsibilities with discipline at all levels and also ensure border security and seamless facilitation of legitimate trade, in tandem with the executive order on the ease of doing business.
The Customs Area Controller assured that he will serve assiduously while increasing cooperation, collaboration, coordination and harmonious working relationships with all other sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The Command has stated that its operational dynamics had in recent times become a nightmare to smugglers who are always devising new strategies to beat the operatives of the command.
Comptroller Sambo Kaliel Dangaladima said that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear in ensuring harmonious relationship between the border communities and officers of his command.
He disclosed that the command will continue to operate using the best strategies to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum.
Dangaladima , always emphasized that the Command is not relenting in its revenue generation and anti smuggling drive.
He stressed that the command shall continue the harvest of seizures from non-compliant stakeholders and smugglers who have refused to heed the clarion call of been patriotic in their trade transactions along the corridor.
The CAC restated his position that the command shall continue to sensitize the business people in both Kano and Jigawa states in order to implement the statutory mandate of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of legitimate trade and protecting the territorial integrity of the nation.
In an interview with a team of journalists the border communities in jigawa state has expressed satisfaction on the measures taking by the Kano/Jigawa customs command on tackling the menace of smuggling in the area.
Hon. Lawal Samaila, the Executive Chairman of Babura local government area of Jigawa state, expressed support for Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/ Jigawa Area Command, for discharging its statutory functions.
He called on the smugglers to desist forthwith and embrace the policies of the Federal Government by engaging actively in a more beneficial means of livelihood like farming.
The chairman appealed to communities in border areas in Jigawa state to partner with the Customs in protecting Nigeria’s economy.
In a chat with newsmen in Dutse the Jigawa state capital, The Chairman, Youth Action for Peace Development in Nigeria (YAPDIN), Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, advised the people of Maigatari border and other areas within the Kano/Jigawa states to think of legitimate businesses since the border is now opened.
According to him, doing so will assist in improving the economy of the area, the state and the country at large.
Setting the records straight, Usman said Nigerian Customs Services Kano/Jigawa is a highly professional paramilitary organization with dedicated and efficient officers and men with duties to safeguarding Nigeria borders and will not indulge in any activities capable of denting the image of the service whatsoever.
“Am sure that the Kano/Jigawa command is working in partnership with the management of the Free Trade Zone operating in the state to boost revenue generation from companies in the zone”
