Customs Reviews Enforcement Strategies, Outlaws Hooding 

“While thanking the retired members of the management for their meritorious

service, the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale

Adeniyi MFR congratulated the newly appointed Officers and charged them to

redouble their efforts to ensure the Service achieves greater heights in its

mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling and trade facilitation.”

Meanwhile, the CGC has directed the immediate stoppage of officers of the service engaged in operation from being hooded, even as he warned against unwarranted shooting.

According to the CPRO, the Customs boss provided the new direction during a sensitization meeting with customs area controllers, held Thursday and Friday last week.

“Your Uniform is your Uniform and that is what you must wear; if you are in a difficult terrain, you put on the combat, you must not cover your face with glasses or tie your head with a turban, your Uniform must also have a name tag”, the customs helmsman charged his officers.

In a statement by the service NPRO, the new directive is sequel to the review of enforcement strategy aimed at improving operational standard and strengthening professional and ethical conduct.

Maiwada said the CGC  revealed above at a meeting with Patrol Heads of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, as he  rounded off his your of some Area commands and formations in Zone ‘A’.

“One of the steps taken to effect change is the withdrawal of the operations of the CGC Strike Force Team to strengthen the Federal Operations Unit”, he quoted the CGC as saying, adding:

“This is what many of us met when we joined the Service. It means that the major enforcement arm of the Service is now Federal Operations, so you will be held responsible for whatever happens around your jurisdiction.”

“You no longer have any other structure, of course, the Border drills are completely different. But within the Service, you are the number one Enforcement Agency and it is a huge responsibility given to you. I want to believe that you are up to the responsibility.

“We were doing it before, so let me say that if there are any of these structures placed above you or under you that are making seizures, they are not doing anything new because it is what you have been used to doing and it is what we are challenging you to do.”

The CGC also hinted on the reorganization and administration of checkpoints by the service.

 “This will also mean that the checkpoints will be reviewed and reduced because there are so many expectations from the Service in line with global standards.

“What are those things that we can do differently? Which Agency or which Unit can we collaborate with? Can we work with the border Commands, those that are resident commands and mount a stronger position against smuggling?

“What strength can we draw from synergy from other agencies of government? How can we make better use of intelligence in our operations? How do we cultivate them? How do we ensure that they serve our purpose and not the purpose of criminals? How can we integrate some little technological tools into our operations?”, he challenged his enforcement chiefs and officers.

Similarly, he charged personnel to be more professional and without compromising national security in the discharge of their duties.

Lastly, the CGC warned that operational vehicles must be appropriately marked and positioned at the assigned patrol points.

“Wherever your checkpoint is, your vehicle must be properly marked Federal Operations Unit; if your vehicle is not there nor marked, it is a violation of law.”