By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has reiterated the need for tighter border patrol to address the menace of arms, drug trafficking and condemned harassments of residents of some Katsina communities by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Called anti-smuggling special force.
Governor Umaru Radda charged the Nigeria Customs Service to renew its fight against smuggling of arms and illicit drugs, fueling armed banditry across States in the North West and Central geo-political zones.
Governor Radda made the call in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed Kaula when he received the Senate adhoc Committee investigating the incessant killings of people smuggling rice and other prohibited goods into the country by officers of the Nigeria Customs.
Mohammed Kaula said the
committee chaired by Senator Francis Fadahunsi, has Senators Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, Adeola Olamilekan, Shuaib Salisu, Kawu Sumaila, Tony Nwoye and Suleiman Sadiq as members.
The committee accompanied by some Senior Customs Officials from Federal Operations Unit Zone “B”, Mohammed Kaula said was received by Governor Radda at the General Muhammadu Buhari
(Government) House in Katsina.
“Governor Dikko Radda observed that, while it is essential for the Nigeria Customs Service to stop the smuggling of contraband food items, it is more important for the agency to curb the smuggling of arms and illicit drugs into the country,” the Governor’s spokesman said.
According to Governor Radda
“In as much as it is essential to stop the smuggling of food items such as rice and tiger nuts among others, it is more of a priority for the Customs to curb the movement of arms and illicit drugs through our borders because these contraband items end up in the hands of armed bandits.”
“Curbing the smuggling of arms will also complement ongoing efforts by security agencies in the fight against bandits and other armed groups operating in different parts of the country. I have interacted at length with the members of the committee, we support their work, and we hereby call on our people that reside along the borders to cooperate with them,” he said.
Ibrahim Mohammed Kaula said
while speaking further, the Katsina Governor, expressed dismay on the increasing harassment suffered by members of Jibia border communities from the hands of customs officials.
This, he said, compounded the movement of consumable goods from and to the area. emphasizing
that, “Nigerian law had spelt out clearly prohibited goods that could not be allowed into the country.”
While regretting the alarming rate of proliferation of arms and ammunition into the country, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda said his administration would henceforth not condone the continued harassment of Katsina citizens carrying out their legitimate businesses, by Customs’ anti-smuggling personnel.
Mohammed Kaula said earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Francis Fadaunshi informed Governor Radda that, they were in katsina state on a fact finding mission over the alleged harassment of members of Jibia communities by personnel of the Nigeria Customs.
This, Senator Francis Fadaunshi said, followed a motion raised by the Senator representing Katsina Central, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, seeking the intervention of the apex chamber.
