The Nigeria Customs Service has implored the press to step up its enlightenment efforts at educating the border communities and the country at large on the crippling effects of smuggling to the national economy and the general well being of the people.
The Comptroller of Ogun 1 Area Command, Comptroller Agbara Michael made the plea while receiving Executives and Elders of the Federated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Ogun State Chapter who were on courtesy call to the Command's Headquarters at Idi Iroko recently.
Comptroller Agbara who was represented by the Deputy Controller of Customs, Sera Nnadi noted that the agitations of few bad elements in the border communities militate against efforts of Customs to discourage smuggling.
He pointed out that Customs however has to be careful in its efforts to deter smugglers as good people with legitimate means of sustenance also exist in the communities.
The Comptroller said these good people have however been infiltrated by bad elements who see Customs as hindrance to their illegitimate trade in smuggled goods.
He explained that Customs has problems in identifying the bad ones from among the people and yet ensure that border communities remain peaceful for those with legitimate trades to earn their living.
Agbara said that if in the fight against smugglers there are victims, it is not intentional since the aim of Customs is to leave smugglers if they abandon the smuggled goods and flee but not when they engage Customs officers in armed combat.
He noted that problems arise often when Customs officers are waylaid on their way to government warehouses by armed smugglers.
The Comptroller therefore urged the press not to relent in their enlightenment efforts adding that they should specifically target the youth while letting the communities know that they also have sons and daughters among us in the Customs.
He revealed that Customs have expended much on Community Relations which had over time extended to include the Bar Associations, traditional rulers, youth and even communities in Benin Republic.
Agbara said Customs made open its primary and secondary schools to its communities as well as its clinics, water system and several other amenities.
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