Compt Ahmadu Shuaibu : He came, saw, conquered, leaving behind an excellent footprint at Ogun 1 Command

Compt Ahmadu Shuaibu :
He came, saw, conquered, leaving behind an excellent footprint at Ogun 1 Command

For generations to come, the name of Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, will remain indelible in the success story of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. An administrator par excellence. A disciplinarian and no nonsense enforcement officer. A honest, humbled and highly detribalised leader, who believes in fairness, a level playing field and equal opportunities for his officers, irrespective of tribe or religious affiliation.

With the peaceful environment being enjoyed currently at Idiroko, the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic,
Ahmadu Shuaibu, has written his name in gold, as the officer, who successfully changed the description of Idiroko border as a war front between Customs and host communities to a peaceful operationing ambience, where there is mutual respect and working synergy between officers and youths in the border communities.

For decades, Idiroko was known to be a very volatile region, where officers suffered incessant attacks on the line of anti-smuggling duty, but Ahmadu Shuaibu completely changed that negative narrative, using his leadership acumen and managerial expertise to promote peace in the area.

Rather than engaging in a tussle with the local communities, with his armed officers surrounding him and his skills in enforcement duties, Ahmadu Shuaibu displayed humility in public office, promoted peace, supported the communities in education, encouraged the youths to embrace entrepreneurship and enlightened the communities on negative effects of smuggling to the nation’s economy.

He encouraged trade through creative Art, built a strong inter-agency collaboration not only with sister security agencies in Ogun State but with his counterparts from Benin Republic.

Within that short time at Ogun 1 Command, Compt Shuaibu carried out the vision of the Comptroller General of Customs in Consolidation, Innovation and Collaboration with unwavering commitments, making remarkable performance in anti-smuggling duties with spectacular seizures of arms, ammunition, dangerous drugs, petroleum products and other prohibited items.

Today, it’s on record that Compt Shauibu, the unbeatable anti-smuggling Czar and uncompromising enforcement officer on assumption of office, as the Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command, made mind-boggling seizures worth millions of Naira within two weeks, just two weeks !

Yes, the Man, Compt Ahmadu Shuaibu came, saw, conquered, leaving behind an excellent footprint for his successor .

His handing over exercise held on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Idiroko, received the loudest ovation, as stakeholders, traditional rulers, youths, security agencies from Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as media practitioners turned out in large number to honour Compt Shuaibu. The conference hall was filled to capacity, yet many people waited patiently outside, as the hall couldn’t contain all the guests. The programme was brief but memorable.

Even officers and men of the Command couldn’t hold back their emotions. The Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the Command, CSC Hammed Oloyede, while introducing dignitaries, described Compt Shuaibu as a Father, thinker and a leader who accommodates all ideas. Also, the stakeholders described Ahmadu Shuaibu as a great professional, highly knowledgeable in the job, but very humbled.

The PRO listed Shuaibu’s outstanding achievements to include the new trailer parks, examination bays, upgrade of the Command’s medical center, provision of uniforms and educational materials to indigent children, speedy resolution of disputes/conflicts with stakeholders, 2023 award ceremony held for distinguished officers, robust partnership with sister security agencies; among others.

The high point of the occasion was handing over the staff of office. Compt Shaibu, who is redeployed to Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone B in Kaduna, handed over the mantle of leadership to Comptroller James Ojo, the incoming Area Controller.

In his farewell speech, amiable Compt Shuaibu said his administration proactively reduced the number of checkpoints along Idiroko border axis from 32 to 5, order to eliminate barriers to trade.

His assertions : “We witnessed a significant increase in revenue generation and massive seizures with zero casualties. We changed the previous slogan of Ogun 1 Area Command as a battlefield to Ogun 1 Area Command as a peaceful place”.

Compt .Shuaibu urged officers of the Command, sister security agencies and border stakeholders to give his successor a higher level of support and cooperation as the new Area Controller.

To Compt Ojo James; Shuaibu said: “Your appointment speaks volume of your capabilities and we have confidence that you will lead with humility and excellence. Please be assured that you have the support of your colleagues.”

Speaking further, Shuaibu thanked CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for his supports, even as he praised the traditional rulers and youth leaders of the area for their massive supports and collaboration in ensuring peace and tranquility in Idiroko. He encouraged them to continue the good conduct.

In his remarks, Compt Ojo commended his predecessor for his dedication to duties, commitment and leadership skills exhibited during his tenure. He promised to build on the mutually beneficial business relationship existing between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Compt Ojo said : “My predecessor has done a lot here; yet I know that all these are going to be like child’s play compared to the results he will achieve at FOU Zone B, in Kaduna. FOU Zone B covers many States”.

The epoch making event ended with group photographs as shown below.