The Customs Area Controller in charge of Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, Comptroller Musa Omale, has harped on synergy with Niger Republic Customs and sought the continuous support of Traditional institutions along border areas.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday and signed by
the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Tsafe, Comptroller Omale made the call during a working visit to Illela Border Outstation, alongside his management team.
During the visit, Comptroller Omale also received the Commissiaire Des Douane in charge of the Birnin N’konni border, Col. Muhammad Bashir, and the paramount ruler of N’kwanni his Royal Highness, Muhammad Salifu Sardauna, Sarkin Birnin N’kwanni at the Illela Border Outstation.
According to him, their meeting was aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between Nigeria Customs Service and its Nigerien counterpart.
He also stressed the need for the personnel of both countries to collaborate in trade facilitation and intelligence sharing to stem the tide of banditry and Armed smuggling bedeviling the countries.
Responding, the Commissaire Des Douane of Birnin N’kwanni Border Colonel Muhammadu Bashir assured his host of his unflinching support towards Trade facilitation and a safe border.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Birnin N’kwanni, thanked the Comptroller for the warm reception accorded them, assuring that he would continue to promote peaceful coexistence between his subjects and Nigerian citizens across the two borders.
It was gathered that Comptroller Musa Omale also had an interactive session with heads of Government Agencies operating at the border Station where he solicited their cooperation to enable the Command to discharge its mandate of revenue generation and smuggling suppression.
In the same vein, the Area Controller paid homage to the district heads of Sarkin Gobir Na Gwadabawa, Sarkin Rafin Illela, and Sarkin Yamman Kware.
He elucidated to the Royal Fathers the need to support the Service to enable it to meet up with its mandate of revenue generation to the Federation account which is used for infrastructural development and payment of salary by Federal and State Governments.
He further pleaded with them to educate their subjects on the dangers of smuggling to the economy, requesting them to also warn them about aiding and abetting smugglers in their heinous acts.
The Royal Fathers thanked the Area Controller and his entourage for the courtesy visit and assured the Command of their support.
