Customs CG Visits NSA, Seeks Support on Border Security

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the National Security Adviser (NSA),  Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at his Office in Abuja.

The maiden visit is part of the collaborative strategies of the CGC to address some of the challenges associated with the manning of Nigeria’s vast land borders.

While speaking with Ribadu, Adeniyi said, “The porous nature of the nation’s borders necessitates this visit to the NSA to fashion the best way to tackle the menace of smuggling which has adverse effects on our economy and security.”

This is even  as officers and men of Seme Customs Area Command were rewarded for their outstanding performances, particularly with regards to the seizure of fake $600m, fake international passports and drivers licenses, as well as the seizure of donkey skin worth N10 million earlier the year.

It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on 19th June appointed Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as Acting Comptroller-General of Customs alongside National Security Adviser,   Malam Huhu Rubadu, the Service Chiefs and Inspector-General of Police.

The Customs boss had earlier on Tuesday visited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu where he congratulated the president over his election as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which also coincided with his appointment as head of the customs service.

Seme Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dear Nnadi mni had at its routine parade Tuesday, gifted the gallant officers with uniform and its accoutrements, after keeping the parade and officers and men  abreast of the developments.

While extolling the officers, he said, “I want to commend all of you for your good conduct, for keeping the command as the epitome of good behaviour, congratulations.

“It is your tenacity that has been helping us, we have made tremendous seizures that have been globally acclaimed”, adding:

“In terms of revenue, I will also congratulate you people, we have done so much in not only securing the border, but we have also been able to raise revenue; as of yesterday our revenue has risen to over N1.159billion.

“This is a tremendous achievement considering that our target for the year is N1.996 billion. What it means is that we have done far above half of our expected revenue target when we are just starting the second half of the year. I am very proud of you for your commitment and doggedness.”

The Seme customs boss also urged officers of the command to acquaint themselves with the new Customs Act 2023, which implementation has just begun, to ensure that the driver of the customs extant laws, they are not found wanting.

“Every Officer should know about the new Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, we have been used to Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA), so the transition to the new Act is going to be a very difficult one if you do not study it, you cannot intervene in any Customs process if you do not know the law backing you”, he said.