The event which was to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration themed “Smuggling and Hoarding of Petroleum Products: Effects on Border Communities and National Security.”
The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has seized at least N1.5billion worth of goods from smugglers operating around the border communities in the state between this year January and September.
The acting controller of Ogun Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu made this known on Monday, while speaking at Idiroko Border in Ipokia Local Government Area during the 5th annual symposium organised by the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum.
The event which was to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration themed “Smuggling and Hoarding of Petroleum Products: Effects on Border Communities and National Security.”
He asserted that if the huge loss was spent legitimately on trade, it would have improved the economy of the border communities and the nation at large. He called on stakeholders, particularly youths of the border communities to join forces with the command in the enlightenment campaigns aimed at overcoming the menace of smuggling in the area.
The Custom boss who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller, Charles Ogunesan, stated that the command had over the years, recorded several attacks ranging from blocking of access roads, mob action, and altercations with smugglers and their sympathisers often resulting in loss of lives.
Ahmadu Shuaibu added that the ceaseless attacks on NCS anti-smuggling operatives had claimed many lives of the officers and left others with permanent disabilities.
He said; “Over the years, the Command had recorded series of horrible and unwanted experiences in our line of lawful duties. We have lost scores of officers to death and permanent disability while our dear communities have also lost many of their members to the evil of this unfortunate demon called smuggling. It is high time we say no to smuggling considering the dangers inherent in it.
"Youths’ involvement in the anti-smuggling crusade will also go a long way toward reducing the rate of avoidable deaths which the host border communities have had to live with “due to the evil of this unfortunate demon called smuggling.
“It is high time we said no to smugglings considering the dangers inherent in it. It retards our economic development, hampers our social well-being and endangers our national security. I want you to know that the security and development of our dear nation are the responsibility of us all.”