Compt Uba Takes Anti – Smuggling Campaign To Affected Communities Hit By Fuel Scarcity

The Coordinator, North Central Zone Section 3,Joint Border Drill Operations, Comptroller Mohammed Garba Uba has embarked on enlightenment campaign to communities affected by fuel scarcity over border closure.

The communities affected are under Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.

 

Recall that the Nigeria Customs Service last year, suspended petroleum supply to communities 20km  close to the frontiers.

According to a statement made available to DAILYFOCUS NEWS ONLINE on Sunday , by the spokesman Kwara Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Chado Zakari quoted the Coordinator saying, that the border closure was yielding positive results in the zone.

The statement said:” In keeping to his promise recently made to the Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi when he paid a courtesy visit to Coordinator Joint Border Operations in charge of North Central Zone, Sector 3, Ilorin Kwara on the scarcity of fuel to border the communities has yielded positive results, as the Coordinator has taken tour of Alapa, Ilesha-Baruba, Yashkira, Chikanda and Okuta axis of Baruten Local Government area of Kwara State.

“At the Emir’s Palace of Yashkira, Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba said he acknowledged the critical role the traditional institutions/rulers can play especially in the areas of sensitization and enlightenment of their subjects, relevant Stakeholders and society at large.

Uba further said ” I am visiting the palace to formally inform the Emir that I have been posted as the Coordinator Joint Border Operations Drill North central Zone, Sector 3 Ilorin Kwara State and to strengthen the co-existing cordial relationship between the command, Emirate and the stakeholders and as well solicit for greater cooperation in terms of information gathering/sharing and also to bridge the communication gaps.

The Coordinator pleaded that the enlightenment campaigns on Anti-smuggling activities should be intensified, as most of those who engage in smuggling never see it as a crime.

He further stated that part of the reason the Federal Government partially closed its borders is to encourage local farming, enhance good health, secure our National Borders and to enable the neighboring countries comply with the ECOWAS Protocol.

The Coordinator reiterated that the present exercise was not to witch-hunt or obstructs any legal businesses of upright indigenes or communities but to encourage local farmers, control the inflow of arms and ammunition, illicit drugs and other prohibited goods in and out of the country.

Uba however, emphasized that synergy and collaboration amongst security agencies and traditional leaders cannot be overemphasized as no organization will work in isolation and succeed without the support of one another especially traditional leaders.

The Emir of Yashkira, Umar Sarki Sabikpasi II, while  responding said the Nigeria Customs Service is almost the heart of the Nation when it comes to revenue generation and threw his weight behind border closure, as most of smuggling activities taking place in his jurisdiction is being perpetrated by non indigenes.

The Emir pledged to do whatever it takes to support the Coordinator and his team to succeed by providing information for the ongoing exercise in order to achieve the aims, as smuggling is never a good thing to be encouraged.

He affirmed that the policy on border closure is for the healthy growth of Nigerian economy.

The traditional ruler  advised that traditional leaders should always be involved in decision making process as well.

He advocated that strict measures be matted out to economy saboteurs and the licensed fueling stations should be identified and those without license be closed.

The Sector Coordinator also held a town hall meeting with the youths, Elders, Local Government Authority, IPMAN and other critical stakeholders of Border communities of the local Government.

The Sector Coordinator took his time to sensitized/educate them on the merit and demerit of Smuggling and that of partial border closure.

Compt. Uba Garba told the gathering that Nigeria Customs Service is just an implementer of Federal Government policies. He advised the Local Government Authority to work with the State Speaker who is also an indigene and other high ranking government officials in order to channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters.

He assured that his report will be based on “on the spot assessment”.

He was confident that government will definitely come up with a policy that will be beneficial to all and sundry.

Compt. Uba also met with residence security agencies manning the border post as well as operatives of Joint Border Operation Drill, deployed within the border axis.

He read the riot act to all the operatives, soliciting for their synergy and Collaboration by sharing information to achieve the Federal Government aim of the exercise.

He warned that any officer found wanting or compromising will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Coordinator explained that all security operatives involved in this National Assignment are backed by the Customs and excise Management act (CEMA) Section 158, 147 and 167 which says 158- give power to patrol freely but warned against one man patrol, Section- 147 give power to search and raid any premises suspected to be housed with smuggling goods and the coordinator gave the go ahead to identify such warehouses for raid; while section 167 gives power to detain and effect seizures. He instructed for prompt reporting of any incident for immediate action.

The myriad of irregular migration and trans-border crimes such as smuggling of small arms and light weapons, human trafficking, drugs peddling and terrorism among others must be tackled headlong and that was what informed the Federal Government to partially close its borders.

He pointed out that suspicious movement of empty Jerricans is a pre-condition for smuggling of Petrol and those in that habit should desist. Suspension of petrol Petroleum within Twenty (20) Kilometers radius to border communities is a presidential directive and he will implement it to the latter.

Compt. Uba said according to Statistic released by Border Community Development Agency (BCDA) Nigeria is bordered by four (4) Countries in Twenty One (21) out of Thirty Six (36) States.

Also international boundaries exist in three Thousand (3,000) Communities, 105 local of which Baruten Local Governments is just One out of 105 Local Governments having international border.

He further stated that it was obvious the crime rate has reduced drastically since commencement of the border closure.

During the fruitful deliberations, it was disclosed that Baruten local Government area of Kwara State has a population of one Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand (125,000) with over Two hundred (200) fueling stations.

Representatives of Local Government Chairman, Alh. Tamba Ahmed and IPMAN (Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria) Kwara State Chapter Chairman, Alh. Okonlawon Olarewaju commended the Federal Government for taking this bold step by trying to rework the wrongs of the past administration, as past government promulgated policies without implementing them.

They both appealed that the Nigeria Customs Service should review the stoppage of fuel supply to 20 kilometer radius to Border communities.

Clarifying on the numbers of petrol stations in the local Government, the IPMAN Chairman said that only 65 Companies registered with the Association and some companies have more than 5 petrol stations.

He called on them to work together with the host communities, respect their culture in order to stamp out smuggling in the country, as it will boost production of locally produce goods and by extension generates more funds for the government, the people and also provide employment to our teaming population.

To this end, the coordinator urged the security agencies to work hand in gloves to achieve this aim, reminding them the implications of Section 177 of CEMA, two (2) years jail term for aiding and abetting of smuggling.

The coordinator also inspected large quantities of seized goods in Okuta, Ilesha-Baruba and Chikanda axis

The tour of Sector Coordinator is expected to continue with the sensitization program to other communities in Kiama in Kwara; Wawa/ Babanna of Niger State and Ogoja/Adipo axis .