FLASH POINT

By SHEHU USMAN YAHAYA

Smuggling  in Nigeria has really affected the economy of the country in several ways. It hinders the local industry, discourages legal imports and reduces the volume of revenues collected from duties and levies by the states.

Investigation by a team of journalists revealed that, Nigerian Customs Service,  Katsina Customs Area Command, is taking proactive measures to curb smuggling activities in the North in other to compliment Acting  Comptroller genaral of The Nigeria Customs service  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. 

The current intelligent driven operation of the command is not only in line with the operational ethics of the service, but also in line with the international best practices. It is therefore worthy of note that confrontation with the smugglers which hitherto used to be.

In an interview with a team of journalists the border communities in Babban Mutum, Kongolon and Dankama area in Katsina state have expressed satisfaction on the measures taking by the Katsina  customs command on tackling the smuggling in the area.

Alhaji Audu Babura a business man in Babban Mutum border, expressed support for Nigeria Customs Service, Katsina Area Command, for discharging its statutory functions.

He called on the smugglers to desist forthwith and embrace the policies of the federal government by engaging actively in farming.

He therefore, appealed to communities in border areas in Katsina state to partner the Customs in protecting Nigeria’s economy.

According to him Doing so will assist in improving the economy of the area, the state and the country in general.

Setting the records straight, Alhajj Audu, said Nigerian Customs Services Katsina is a highly professional paramilitary with dedicated and efficient men and officers with duties to safeguarding Nigeria borders and will not indulge in any activities capable of denting the image of the service or whatsoever.

He said government doesn’t want anything illegitimate such as smuggling, Child trafficking, proliferation of small and light arms.

In an interview with newsmen in Daura,  The Chairman, Youth Action for Peace Development in Nigeria (YAPDIN), Alhaji Muhammadu Usman, has advise the people of the  border and other areas within the Katsina customs command to think of legitimate businesses.

According to him Doing so will assist in improving the economy of the area, the state and the country in general.