Seme Customs boss seeks collaboration with traditional rulers, security agencies to boost border trade

The newly appointed Controller, Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila has sought the support and collaboration of traditional rulers and sister security agencies within the border community to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.

The Controller made this known during seperate familiarisation visits to the Palace of traditional rulers and heads of sister security agencies at the border.

Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, Comptroller Kaila condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.

“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.

“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling. And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said.

In response, the King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request. Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.

Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border communities

“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required. In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he said.

While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.

“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need. Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your present here, things will change for the better, ” he said.

In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, the Controller visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.

Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy Medugu, expressed the Base readiness to always support the command in achieving its mandate adding that both agencies shared similar purposes.

“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility. Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said.

The Customs boss ended his familirisation tour seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.