Nigeria: Customs Chief Tours Northwest to Bolster Border Security, Trade

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is actively seeking to deepen ties with traditional rulers and local communities in the country’s northwest, a crucial region for border management and trade. Comptroller Aminu Sule of the Federal Operations Unit Zone B recently concluded a strategic working tour of Sokoto and Kebbi States commands, aiming to reinforce the Service’s commitment to collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.The visit is a direct implementation of the vision set by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. A key focus was to foster goodwill among local communities, traditional institutions, and other key stakeholders, according to a statement released in Kaduna by Saidu Nuruddeen, the Chief Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer for the Federal Operations Unit Zone B.Royal Support for Anti-Smuggling EffortsIn Kebbi State, Comptroller Sule paid courtesy calls on respected traditional leaders. This included His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gwandu, Major General Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar (Rtd), and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Argungu, Samaila Muhammad Mera.The royal fathers commended the NCS for its role in promoting legitimate trade and safeguarding the national economy. Crucially, they pledged their continued support in sensitizing their communities against smuggling and economic sabotage, highlighting the strategic importance of traditional institutions in effective border control.Focused on Revenue and CooperationThe tour also included high-level stakeholder meetings with local business leaders, community representatives, and Customs officials. Discussions focused on critical operational matters:Improving revenue collection, enhancing inter-agency cooperation and streamlining trade facilitation processes.Comptroller Sule stressed that teamwork and coordination across all Customs formations are vital to achieving the Comptroller-General’s ambitious reform agenda and deterring economic offenders.Strengthening Operational SynergyThe engagement continued at the Sokoto/Zamfara Command, where Comptroller Sule met with Area Controller Comptroller Aliyu Isa Ndayako. Their discussions centred on operational synergy, intelligence sharing, and enforcement efficiency.The NCS states that the tour successfully fortified partnerships and strengthened community ties, underscoring its dual commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders while promoting sustainable economic growth and engagement with the people it serves across Zone B.