Seme Customs blocks illegal route to curb cross border crimes

Seme Customs blocks illegal route to curb cross border crimes

By Udeme-Obong Anametenfiok

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu, has directed the construction of a wall fence to block illegal route that may purportedly be used by miscreants for various cross border crimes at the region.

The CAC made this known in a press statement signed and made available to Financial Business, by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Saidu Nuruddeen Abdullahi, stressing that the new development is in compliance with the directive from the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Ali Hameed, that effective border collaboration among all relevant security agencies is imperative for National security at the busiest land border like Seme.

The CAC recalled series of reports on Arms and ammunition that were seized in 2016, at sea ports and land borders. He told the media of CGC’s alert to all border Commands on the need to maintain  strict surveillance,  as there is the possibility that the dare devil smugglers who have seen that the ports  are impassable may try crossing through the borders.

He explained that the Command is putting measures in place to ensure that all identified loop holes are fully sealed, even as the use of functional scanning machine has made it impracticable for any concealment to pass through.

On revenue generation, the CAC said, “The Command realised N438. 6million in the month of May 2018. The Command’s commitment towards intelligence driven operations led to arrest and seizures of 130 contraband goods, with total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of NN95. 5million”.

The CAC who is also the Chairman of the Joint Border Security Meeting, JBSM, said,  “We will ensure that effective collaboration among security agencies at the border for efficient border management and security is not compromised”.

He reaffirmed his unflinching support to the reform agenda of CGC Ali, stressing that at the Command level, they are working assiduously to ensure all anomalies that pose a threat to the security of the Nation and trade facilitation are addressed and corrected.

The CAC advised all stakeholders operating at the border to engage only in legitimate trade transactions and similarly adhere strictly to proper clearance procedures and guidelines to enhance smooth trade facilitation at the Command.