Strange Cargo Trade Spin-offs’ Hits Seme Border

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Even as the echo of the 2024 edition of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) annual conference, known as the CGC Conference with the theme “NCS Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose” is yet to fade away, there are indications that the Seme Command of the service is already undermining the system over rumour of insiders deals and official trade compromises.

It is even more worrisome as the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Kayode Kolade who assumed control of the Command early September this year has been fingered as initiating the new order, some of which includes controversial releases of questionable imports.

On October 15, 2024, a consignment of imported rice which passage was reportedly authorized by him and was stockpiled at MORRAB filling station at Kweme community in Seme, was busted, leading to confusion and report of high level official intransigence.

Findings indicate that operatives of the Nigerian Navy, attached to the Badagary Forward Operating Base (FOB) supposedly acting on intelligence, stormed and condoned off the station in the bid to safeguard the contraband rice, estimated at 800 x50kg bags .

However, upon getting the information, Seme Customs was believed to have deployed personnel led by senior officers with about seven operational vehicles including Hilux Jeeps to go for the rescue; unabashedly fighting on the side on smugglers.

The shameful fracas that followed led to one of the three Naval Ratings that busted the rice hideout suffering a head injury, even as the private vehicle that conveyed them to the place was also damaged.

According to findings by Pinnacle Time, the CAC Office was believed to have called both the Base Officer as well as the Western Naval Command headquarters, Apapa Lagos, where the matter was believed to have been resolved, and the naval ratings, subsequently recalled.

Taunted as one of the richest customs chiefs, Kolade is not new to Seme Border following his vast prior work experience along the border axis, whilst he served as middle level officer at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, and as part of a special taskforce team.

How the NCS and its busiest land border command will fare under the unfolding strings of trade-offs remains to be seen as the federal government is already losing significant revenues through these leakages.

It will be recalled that when he took over the baton of leadership of the Seme Customs Command recently, Kolade promised to be on the same page with the aspirations of the customs leadership and management; and to discharge his duty with honesty and loyalty.