Traditional Ruler Urges Customs to Fight Smugglers to Enhance Revenue

Traditional Ruler Urges Customs to Fight Smugglers to Enhance Revenue
A traditional ruler in Katsina State has charged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to redouble its efforts in curtailing the smuggling of prohibited goods to enhance revenue for the Federation Account.

The Kanwa of Katsina and District Head of Ketare, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara gave the charge when the new comptroller Katsina-Kaduna command Mr. Oyeleke Abdullaziz paid him a visit in his palace in Ketare.

Alhaji Kankara who is also a retired comptroller of customs said fighting smuggling and enhancing revenue generation are the core values of the service.

He noted that with the heavy investment of federal government in the anchor borrower scheme for rice production and other agricultural programs, smuggling of rice from the borders should stop by the men of the customs.

He said: “If smuggling of imported rice will be allowed to continue, it will affect government policies on agriculture and rice production in the country. The customs service should also curve the smuggling of illicit drugs such as tramadol and other hard drugs of a similar nature which pose a great danger on the lives of youth in the country.

“With general elections around the corner the service should also ensure thorough check and examine all good crossing the borders to address the issues of smuggling of arms and ammunition into the country.

The newly posted comptroller of Katsina-Kaduna command Mr. Oyeleke Abdulaziz assured the traditional ruler who was his former boss in the customs that the service would redouble its efforts to eradicate smuggling activities across the borders.

Abdulazi said the current leadership of the customs has significantly improved revenue generation to the Federation Account.

The new comptroller Mr. Oyeleke was accompanied during the visit by his deputy Namanu and other officers and men of the command.