The Coordinator Joint Border Operations Drill Sector 3 Ilorin Kwara State, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba on Friday, said the exercise has recorded seizures of goods estimated at N703, 746,780.00 monetary value.
The coordinator who has been in charge of sector 3, barely three months, also mentioned that the border closure in the region recorded the seizures of 12,255 bags of rice, 252,000 liters of PMS, 6,617 liters of AGO, 177 Vehicles, 80 Motorcycles,160 Illegal Migrants and 11 Illicit Weapons.
According to a statement by Chado Zakari, Public Relations Officer, Kwara Command,
for the Coordinator Border Drill Operations, Sector 3, Ilorin Kwara State, this was disclosed during a sensitisation meeting by the Comptroller with members ,Textiles, Shoes, Veils and Market Women Association of the state Chapter.
During the interactive session which was translated in English and Yoruba languages respectively, the coordinator reminded the stakeholders that the border closure was to encourage local farmers, local industries to strive and to provide job opportunity for the teeming youths.
He warned the association not to patronize or sell smuggled goods, even as he advised textile materials dealers buying their goods from Kano to always have a copy of Single Goods Declaration Form (SGD) used and paid for their consignments from the original importers to avoid seizure.
He noted that the campaign was to provide security to the nation, saying poor security in the environment would lead to loss of revenue generation and collection, by Nigeria Customs Service and the nation’s economy .
The Coordinator sought for assistance from the association to partner with the sector by embarking on sensitization programme of their members which is capable of dissuading smugglers, those patronizing them and those who work against the interest of the nation.
He explained that Section- 147 of Customs and Excise law gives power to customs officers to search and raid any premises suspected to be housing smuggled goods, as such any shop, company or house identified to be stock with smuggled goods will not spared.
He declared that in line with the president’s transformation agenda especially in the area of security the service has essentially keyed into protecting the borders from infiltration of dangerous weapons and destructive materials.
The coordinator listed the achievement of sector 3 since border closure which include: reduction in smuggling of illicit arms used for terrorism/crime, illegal drugs, and Sub-standard foods with potential to cause health hazards and reduction in human/child trafficking and illegal migration.
The statement added that: “Other achievements are reduction in the quantity of PMS consumed daily in Nigeria by about 10 million litres,which he said has presumed to be the average quantity of PMS usually smuggled from Nigeria daily into neighboring countries through the numerous petrol stations along the border communities.
“Increase in government revenue accrued from payment of Nigeria Customs Service duties.
“Provision of enabling environment to boost local production especially area of
agriculture.
“Enhancement of security across Kwara state/north central zone and denial of freedom of movement to criminals and reduction in criminal activities and crime rate across the state and zone and Nigeria in general.
However,Uba said the partial border closure and the movement of persons with valid traveling document from 6.am -6pm is still in enforce.
