The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Saturday restated its commitment to take necessary measures aimed at removing all obstacles militating against free trade in the country.

To achieve this, the service said it is working closely with heads of various government agencies particularly the Inspector General of Police to ensure that they rationalise and reduce to the barest minimum the number of checkpoints mounted along major roads leading to various land borders.

The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this in an interactive session with residents of Kongolam and Mai-Adua held at the Customs House, Kongolam Border, Katsina State.

He announced that President Bola Tinubu has directed that, those food items that were going out of the country that have been seized by the Customs should be returned to the owners on the condition that they would be sold in the Nigerian markets.

“We are monitoring you to ensure that foods that are produced in Nigeria currently should remain and be consumed in Nigeria.

“The second issue is on the checkpoints. Directives have been given for us to collapse those checkpoints. This decision has been taken and has been implemented in other border stations including Katsina State.

“Security situation can’t be handled with one agency alone, because you cannot clap with one hand. This is why I am working with heads of agencies of government particularly the IGP to ensure that we rationalise and reduce to the barest minimum the number of checkpoints along major roads leading to our land borders.

“We are in a period of national emergency; it’s a problem around sufficiency of food because food security is very important. Let me emphasize that, there is an export provision act that currently allows the exportation of food items like maize, beans, millet, sorghum, and yam including other locally produced food items.

“When we get to a level of self-sufficiency, we will definitely relax the implementation of this law.

“There is a very strong link between security and economic development. If there is no peace and security in any environment there can not be buying and selling.

“All the borders we have in Katsina are very strategic entry points and outposts into our neighboring countries.

“As controller general of customs, I don’t have the delegated powers to open the borders, but the president, so I will take this issue to him. The key of the border is not in my pocket but in the pocket of the area comptroller. Once a decision is taken we will notify him to reopen the border.

“I am very impressed with the level of collaboration here. This is one of the most peaceful border areas that we have. I urge you to continue to remain peaceful and law-abiding. There can’t be Kongolam and Mai-Adua if Nigeria is burning, so please let us keep our food within the country so that we will be able to address the problem of hunger and food insecurity that we have.

“We will escalate your concerns regarding border closure to the president and we will come with good news for you,” Adeniyi stated.

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CGC Adeniyi Seeks Cooperation of Mai’adua, Kongolom Border Communities in Katsina State Against Smuggling

In an effort to fortify the amicable relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and border communities, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of… pic.twitter.com/CdrDMQBC7Q

— NIGERIA CUSTOMS (@CustomsNG) March 10, 2024

Earlier, the Chief Host and the Katsina State Command’s Customs Area Comptroller, Muhammad Umar, thanked the CGC for the visit, commending him and his management for their efforts and leadership. He said his presence in Katsina has underscored the significance of the Kongolam Community.

He recalled that the core objectives of the NCS are the implementation of government fiscal policies, suppression of smuggling, and the creation of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“We have, therefore, intensified efforts in fulfilling this objective and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the standard obligation procedures are adhered to,” he added.

While speaking on behalf of the Mai-Adua LGA youths, a resident, Muhammad Yusuf, decried that since after the border closure by the Federal Government precisely on 22nd August 2019, many people lost their jobs thus, thereby engaging in criminal activities which calmed down by traditional and religious leaders.

“Please, consider the plight of businessmen and traders in Mai-Adua LGA. Make it easy for us, please. Our local commodities were recently confiscated by officers and men of the NCS. The commodities are still in detention despite our complaints that the traders have not violated any law.

“Secondly, the excessive checkpoints mounted along Daura road by various security agencies are unnecessary, please. Our major problem is the border, we want it to be reopened. Assist us, please. We are law-abiding citizens,” he appealed.

Meanwhile, the CGC visited the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, in his residence located at Daura where the former president commended President Bola Tinubu for his policies and programs meant for the well-being of Nigerian citizens.

The CGC also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Daura, HRH Umar Faruq Umar, at his palace to seek royal blessings and support where the emir conferred and turbaned him with a traditional title of “Mabudin Kasar Hausa” (meaning “Hausa Land Key”).