APFFLON condemns incessant attacks on Customs operatives

The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has condemned in strong terms the incessant attacks on operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

No fewer than three operatives of the NCS were reportedly killed last month while an unspecified number of others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Comptroller Joseph Attah, had in a statement last week said some unscrupulous hoodlums suspected to be smugglers resorted to unleashing mayhem on Customs officers during anti-smuggling operations.

The freight forwarders group in a statement made available to our correspondent by its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, urged the Federal Government to put measures in place to forestall further attacks of customs operatives.

According to Ogunojemite, there is a need for the government to fortify major entry points with modern security technology and also equip Customs operatives and other border security personnel with needed gadgets and quality firearms to effectively confront smugglers and hoodlums at any time.

“APFFLON cannot agree less with the National Public Relations Officer of Customs. We hereby condemn unequivocally the dastardly act as we urge the Federal Government to arise and take charge of the situation.

“We also read in the news that the missing body of another Customs officer was found floating on Ipaja River in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, while two others kidnapped by daredevil smugglers operating in Ogun State, were both found dead in Fagbohun Village over interception of smuggled rice from Benin Republic.

“We hereby vehemently condemn the mindless killings of Customs operatives; they are human beings who have families and relations too. The incessant attacks and gruesome murder of Customs operatives, especially at border areas, calls for urgent government intervention and should no longer be handled with kid gloves.

“APFFLON strongly maintains that if at all any investment in technology is in the pipeline, investment in border security should be given top priority. We advise the Federal Government to fortify major entry points with modern security technology and also equip Customs operatives and other Border Security Personnel with needed gadgets and quality firearms to effectively confront smugglers and hoodlums at any time.

“Enough of the massacre of Customs operatives, they are human beings, the Government should take proactive measures to protect them. If this continues, it means in no distant time, no officer would take up such assignments any longer, and that portends serious danger to the country.  Government should invest in the latest technology to secure our borders. Training and retraining of Customs operatives and formation of Joint Task Force to protect all the agencies is very germane at this critical time.

“We urge the Federal Government to put proper insurance schemes in place to cover Customs operatives and their families. Drones and helicopters should also be deployed for effective border policing. And most importantly, engagement of neighbouring countries for intelligence gathering and access to very sensitive information

“Our country is facing a serious security threat on all fronts, and applying every effective measure to combat it will do the country pretty good while the Nigeria Customs Service should improve their public relations and engage stakeholders in all sectors,” he said.