*Kano/Jigawa Command of NCS vows to tackle smuggling
By; RABO HALADU, Kaduna
Smuggling has really affected the economy of Nigeria 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 Area Command, is taking proactive measures to curb smuggling activities in the North in other to compliment Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd)
Kano/Jigawa Customs is taking proactive measures to curb smuggling activities in the area by deploying competent officers across the command.
The current intelligent driven operation of the command is not only in line with the operational ethics of the service, but also in line with the international best practices. It is therefore worthy of note that confrontation with the smugglers which hitherto used to be.
The Kano/Jigawa area command of NCS, has somehow remained dormant in the last three years
Assumption of office as the CAC, In August 2022, Comptroller Mu’azu Rajj, took decisive measures by deploying competent officers at the border of Maigatari, Gumel, Babura and Kano town.
The move yielded tremendous success as seizures of contraband are being recorded on a weekly basis while the smugglers are now on the run.
Comptroller Raji came in, coupled with the efforts of the headquarters and men, a lot of progress has been made in anti- smuggling operations on rice, vehicles, vegetable oil and other prohibited items in Kano/ Jigawa state.
Comptroller Raji is always saying “am not here for the money, I am here for the mission; that is the mindset with which I am succeeding in sanitising the place – no compromise in my duty and responsibilities,” he once said. And truly, it shows”
Comptroller Mu’azu Raji, always emphasised that the Command was not relenting in its revenue generation and anti smuggling drive.
In private chat with journalists Comptroller Mu’azu Raji said he would bring his wealth of experience to bear as the operational strategies of the once hostile responses from the dare devil smugglers in the command.
As part of his efforts to straighten the relationship between the Nigeria customs service Kano /jigawa command And traditional rulers within the command, Comptroller Mu’azu Raji visited Emir’s palace in Kano to solicited for cooperation of the the Emir and his subject in ensuring that the community understand the role of customs as partners in progress.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, charged the Communities under the jurisdiction of the new Comptroller to accord him all necessary cooperation as well as comply with laid down rules and regulations of the Nigerian Custom Service.
Aminu Ado Bayero, further appeal to the people to remain spiritually sound by purifying their hearts and live with the fear of Almighty Allah in all their activities, concluding that the Comptroller and his agency should be rest assured of support and backing of the Kano Emirate Council.
In an interview with a team of journalists the border communities in jigawa state have expressed satisfaction on the measures taking by the kano/jigawa customs command on tackling the smuggling in the area.
Malam lawal samaila executive chairman Babura local government area of jigawa state. expressed support for Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/ jigawa i 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 farming.
The chairman appealed to communities in border areas in Jigawa State to partner the Customs in protecting Nigeria’s economy.
In an interview with newsmen in Dutse the Jigawa State capital, the Chairman, Youth Action for Peace Development in Nigeria (YAPDIN), Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, has advise the people of the Maigatari border and other areas within the Kano/jigawa customs command to think of legitimate businesses.
According to him, doing so will assist in improving the economy of the area, the state and the country in general.
Setting the records straight, Usman said Nigerian Customs Services Kano/Jigawa is a highly professional paramilitary with dedicated and efficient men and officers with duties to safeguarding Nigeria borders and will not indulge in any activities capable of denting the image of the service or whatsoever.
He said government doesn’t want anything illegitimate such as smuggling, Child trafficking, proliferation of small and light arms.
“Am sure that Kano/Jigawa command is working in partnership with the management of the Free Trade Zone operating in the state to boost revenue collection from companies in the zone”
