*Commends Customs for community inclusion in anti-smuggling
Francis Sardauna in Katsina
Former President Muhammedu Buhari has stressed the need for synergy among security agencies operating in border communities across the country in order to strengthen security in the nation’s borders.
He said there was need for security agencies to promote and implement comprehensive security strategies of joint efforts and synergy through interagency cooperation to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
The former president stated this when he received the Comptroller of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mohammed Umar, at his country home in Daura, Katsina State.
The visit, according to a statement issued to journalists yesterday, by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Tahir Balarabe, was part of Umar’s tour to various border communities to enlist compliance through community support.
Buhari, added that the synergy among the security agencies would greatly help in creating an enabling environment to overcome the security challenges faced by Nigerians in some parts of the country.
He, therefore highlighted the collective responsibility of ensuring security, urging citizens to provide credible and reliable information to security agencies for the well-being of the country and its citizens.
He, however, commended Comptroller Umar for fostering community inclusion in his revolving anti-smuggling strategies aimed at eradicating all forms of transborder crimes in Katsina State.
Earlier, Umar told the Nigerian former president that he was at his residence to inform him about the activities of the Customs in the state, and to seek for his fatherly advice.
He said the 24 hours customs anti-smuggling operations in the state, particularly in border communities, had become more effective with the full support of sister government agencies.
Expressing gratitude for the audience and encouragement from the ex-president, Umar assured that the NCS would continue to benefit from his wealth of experience.
Meanwhile, Umar has vowed to resuscitate the Customs Community Consultative Forum in border communities in the state for enhanced trade facilitation.
While speaking at the Palace of the District Head of Babban-Mutum, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, the Comptroller assured that the Customs Community Consultative Forum would be effective before the end of this year.
He said the revitalisation of the consultative forum would enable the service and members of border communities in the state to rub minds on sustainable ways of stemming smuggling and other trans-border crimes for improved economic activities.
While describing the forum as a veritable tool for resolving issues in border communities, the Comptroller said it would feature periodic engagement with leaders of business associations, traditional and religious leaders.
He said: “We will immediately revamp the Customs Community Consultative Forum and make it more functional for improved trade facilitation and economic development without compromising national security.
“The compliance level in respect of border closure is fully enforced in the state, and my officers and other security personnel are working in harmony. No more challenges, and I believe it is good for economic development.”
He, however, said smuggling of rice and other commodities had reduced to the barest minimum in the state, adding that the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service would not rest on their oars until smuggling is totally annihilated.
He reiterated that the Service was working with other sister security agencies to further checkmate peddling of uncustomed goods into the country as well as the protection of lives and property of the citizenry.
He therefore warned officers and personnel of the Service, especially those serving at the border communities not to compromise in the discharge of their duties, and always act in the best interest of the country.
