The Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has urged local communities residing around the border areas to extend their support to law enforcement agents in order to thwart criminals attempting to cross through these regions.
He gave this charge during his official visit to Seme and Badagry Environs on Friday.
His first stop was at the Palace of the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, De Wheno Aholu, Menu-Toyi I. During the visit, he highlighted the longstanding and positive relationship that Customs Officers have enjoyed with the people of Badagry, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation in maintaining border security.
He said, “I am in Badagry as part of my working visit to Seme Area Command and we felt that this should be our first port of call because of the long-standing relationship every succession generation of Customs officers who served in the area have with Badagry in general”.
“A very lasting relationship characterized by mutual respect, benefit to all of us and you have always supported and provided us guidance. We want to say a huge thank you for what you have done for us before and what you are doing for us now, and by the grace of God, we are praying that God will give you long life so that you will continue to do more for us”, he added.
He hailed Comptroller Dera Nnadi, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Area Command, for his dedicated efforts in fostering strong and harmonious relationships with the local community.
Moving from the palace, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs (Ag. CGC) and his accompanying delegation proceeded to Seme Area Command, where they were warmly received by a large crowd who braved the rain.
The gathering included officers and men from the Command, Hon. Joseph Gbenu, Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, representatives from Customs Krake, Federal Republic of Benin, sister Agencies, royal fathers, stakeholders, and community leaders.
The Ag. CGC emphasized the importance of collaboration and cooperation among sister Agencies and community leaders.
“We must draw strength from the complementarity of our operations and, of course, our traditional rulers, always being there to guarantee the support of the communities that we serve”, he said.
In his address, Comptroller Dera Nnadi highlighted some notable impacts the Command has made.
“In the area of anti-smuggling operation, the Command made headlines with the seizure of fake six million US dollars equivalent to two billion seven hundred million (N2.7 B) Naira. This is in addition to other notable seizures recorded between January and June 2023”, he noted.
“In addition, the Command has also invested so much in trade facilitation and has been at the forefront of dismantling trade barriers”, he added.
During the reception, the stakeholders warmly welcomed the visit of the CGC (Customs Boss) and urged him to carefully review their petitions.
The Customs Boss expressed gratitude for the significant turnout and the affection shown by the attendees.
He reassured them that their petitions would receive proper attention and be dealt with appropriately.
Furthermore, he encouraged the stakeholders to actively support Security Agencies in their efforts to strengthen national security.
“National security is the business of every citizen. It should not be for only Security Agencies, so as we make life easier for business, I want to charge you all to make life and the work of our Security Agencies easier.
“The criminals live around us, those who are bringing arms and ammunition, they operate and live around us, so what we can do to help and re-enforce our national security is if you help us with information, intelligence for us to apprehend these criminals who are infusing mayhem into our communities,” he noted.