The South-West Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging modern technology for efficient border control and the fight against smuggling, aiming to bolster national security.
Speaking in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during an appraisal visit to the Ogun II Command, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Saidu Abba-Yusuf stressed the importance of professionalism and zero tolerance for corruption among officers.
“Efforts are ongoing to use technology to enhance our border’s security and patrol,” Abba-Yusuf said.
“The CGC, Bashir Adeniyi, for the past year, has been very busy trying to coordinate.
Apart from the border issue, even at the seaport, all our operations are being automated, including those at the border station” he continued.
Highlighting recent advancements, Abba-Yusuf referred to the recent inspection of an aircraft acquired by the Nigeria Customs Service for border patrol.
“We are all aware that the borders are porous, and the only way we can monitor them is by using modern technology.
Before deploying such technology, training and retraining are crucial, which the service is actively doing.
Acquiring the aircraft is part of this technological upgrade,”he stressed.
Abba-Yusuf also issued a strong warning to those involved in smuggling and illegal activities.
“Anyone contemplating bringing in illicit arms, ammunition, or drugs into Nigeria should rethink.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the current leadership, is highly effective in intelligence gathering and works closely with other security agencies,” he said.
Commenting on the performance of the Ogun II Command under Comptroller Olusola Alade, the ACG noted its remarkable achievements.
“We reviewed the Command’s performance up to August, and they have generated over N20 billion, close to N21 billion.
Compared to N14 billion during the same period last year, the Command has performed excellently, even in the face of economic challenges.”
In response, Comptroller Alade expressed gratitude for the commendation and urged for more accommodation for officers, as well as improvements in the Command’s clinic to enhance medical services.
