Daily Independent (Lagos)
Andrew Airahuobhor
19 November 2008
Lagos — The attendance at the meeting was impressively high. Venue of the event, which was scheduled for 12 noon, was already full to capacity before the time underscoring the importance participants attached to the subject matter which has been a source of worry to the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS).
It was the Town Hall Meeting Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of Seme Area Command, Ali Wakili held with Obas, Community Leaders and Members of the Border Community last Monday.
Constant hostilities of host communities and the nefarious activities of smugglers in border areas necessitated the meeting where the CAC read out penalties for indulging in smuggling.
While stating that he was not there to punish them but to facilitate trade, he noted that those who are recalcitrant would be dealt with accordingly.
He added that the Customs and Excise Management Act CAP 45 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, give him powers to carry out his duties.
He cited specific sections which empowers him to deal with smuggling.
He said section 8, gives him the power of the police officer, which makes provision for arrest of offenders.
Section 11 makes provision for two years jail term for anyone obstructing officers to carry out lawful duty, section 159 prescribes punishment for offenders armed with offensive weapons while committing offence.
According to him, "no uncustomed goods will henceforth be allowed into the country. No smuggled item will be allowed to be taken out of the border as the goods will be seized and the offender taken to court.
From January to October, 26 persons have been arrested while seven have been convicted.
He frowned at the manner miscreants in collaboration with smugglers recently held two Customs officers hostage.
Two of the Customs officers, who were on their way to take away two impounded trucks conveying some contraband goods at Seme, were taken hostage by some dare devil smugglers in connivance with miscreants.
It took the intervention of the traditional rulers for him to secure the release of the officers.
Particularly De Wheno Aholu Menutoyi 1, Akran of Badagry and Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Arolagbade Ogungbe James.
At the meeting, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Border patrol, Musa Kemoh noted that the meeting was also in line with the Inspector General of Police nine point agenda as regards community policing. He said everybody must be involved in solving crime.
While commending the effort of Wakili in organizing such a forum, he said meaningful development can be achieved without law and order.
Aholu of Kweme on his part lamented the absence of industries and factories in the area but urged the youths to always report any matter to the community leaders instead of taking laws into their hands.
Smugglers operating in most border communities in the country, always find allies in the villagers, who rally round them when confronted by officers of the law.
The villagers, who make fortunes from the illicit trade, shield the smugglers from arrest because they allegedly see their operations as their own resource control; hence the business has to be protected at all cost.
Last October, Babale Abubakara officer attached to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of Customs was killed at Marogbo village near Agbara by smugglers operating around the vicinity.
Community leaders, market men and women, okada riders, transport unions, agents, Customs brokers and members of the border communities were present at the event in the interest of trade, peaceful coexistence and security of the people and the country.
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