Illela Border: Nigeria, Niger Republic Customs Synergizes

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Comptroller Omale with one of the traditional rulers

In the bid to cut down on trans-border economic criminalities, Customs Area Controller, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, Comptroller Musa Omale has extended the hands of friendship to the Niger Republic Customs, while seeking improved and continuous support of traditional institutions along border areas.

A statement signed by  Command Public Relations Officer , Deputy Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Tsafe,  informed that Comptroller Omale made the call during a working visit to Illela Border Outstation, alongside his management team.

Comptroller Omale during the visit also received the Commissiaire Des Douane in charge of the Birnin N’konni border, Col. Muhammad Bashir, and the paramount ruler of N’kwanni , is Royal Highness, Muhammad Salifu Sardauna, Sarkin Birnin N’kwanni at the Illela Border out station.

According to him, their meeting was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between Nigeria Customs Service and its Nigerien counterpart.

The Sokoto/Zamfara Customs boss also stressed the need for the personnel of both countries to collaborate in trade facilitation and intelligence sharing to stem the tide of banditry and Armed smuggling bedeviling the countries.

Responding, the Commissaire Des Douane of Birnin N’kwanni Border Colonel Muhammadu Bashir assured his host of his unflinching support towards Trade facilitation and a safe border.

On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Birnin N’kwanni, thanked the Comptroller for the warm reception accorded them, assuring that he would continue to promote peaceful coexistence between his subjects and Nigerian citizens across the two borders.

Omale also had an interactive session with heads of Government Agencies operating at the border Station where he solicited their cooperation to enable the Command to discharge its mandate of revenue generation and smuggling suppression.

The statement further said the Area Controller paid homage to the district heads of Sarkin Gobir Na Gwadabawa, Sarkin Rafin Illela, and Sarkin Yamman Kware, where he enjoined the Royal Fathers on the need to support the Service to enable it to meet its mandate of revenue generation.

Omale according to the statement urged the royal fathers to educate their subjects on the dangers of smuggling to the economy, and the danger of arrest and prosecution of those aiding and abetting smugglers in their heinous acts.

Thanking the Area Controller the royal fathers pledged to continue to support the Nigeria Customs Service on its assignments within the border communities.