By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has intensified stakeholder engagement efforts with a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, underscoring the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) resolve to strengthen border security, lawful trade and community cooperation.
The visit to the Emir’s palace in Kebbi State highlighted the Service’s recognition of traditional institutions as vital partners in maintaining peace and supporting security operations in border communities.
Speaking during the engagement, Adeniyi described the visit as strategic, stressing that effective and sustainable border management requires collaboration beyond enforcement agencies.
He noted that traditional rulers play a critical role in sensitising residents, discouraging smuggling and building trust between security agencies and local communities.
The CGC reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to sustained dialogue with the Kebbi Emirate Council and border communities to curb smuggling and other cross-border crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.
In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended the CGC for the visit and pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies operating in the state. He urged residents of border communities to cooperate with authorities by providing timely and credible information to combat smuggling and related criminal activities.
As part of his official engagements, the CGC also visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects designed to enhance operational capacity and personnel welfare.
Additionally, He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a newly constructed five-a-side football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Adeniyi charged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and commitment, describing Kebbi as a strategically important border Command for revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
The Custom Boss emphasised strict adherence to approved transit corridors and warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.
The CGC noted that Kebbi remains a critical route exploited by smugglers and other economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal export of petroleum products, a development that necessitated the deployment of special operations in the area.
He disclosed that he had conveyed presidential approval for the reopening of the Tsamiya border, adding that the decision comes with increased responsibility to prevent the diversion of transit goods.
He further stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in addressing smuggling, violent crimes, terrorism and other forms of organised criminal activity, while assuring personnel of improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to boost operational efficiency.
The CGC was accompanied by senior Customs officers, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve within the Gwandu Emirate.
The visit ended on a lighter note as the Comptroller-General joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned pitch, reinforcing camaraderie and morale within the Kebbi Area Command.
