Tinubu’s Investment Policy Will End Smuggling, Says Customs CG Adeniyi

Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s investment policy will end the smuggling of contraband into the country.

Adeniyi said this at the passing out parade of 956 General Duty Junior Officers who completed their Basic Course 1/2023 training at the Customs Training College in Goron Dutse, Kano.

The NCS boss said the Tinubu administration has demonstrated the readiness to end smuggling through the renewed vigour to bring in investors and rebuild the economy.

“I think smuggling, generally, is an act of sabotage. Mr. President has demonstrated his readiness to end smuggling by giving some kind of vigour, renewed vigour and renewed hope in our economy.

“It is recommendable when you look at some of the policies that he has taken, in terms of making businesses thrive, bringing in investors, and things like that.

“So, when you are having investors and we are having these efforts to rebuild our economy, then there would be no room for smugglers or those who want to sabotage us.”

Also, Adeniyi has said out of the over 500,000 applicants received for admission into the Customs training school, only 956 were admitted.

Adeniyi urged the recruits to see their admission as a call to duty and diligent service to the Customs and the nation.

“Out of over 500,000 applicants, you, the graduating recruits, represent the future of our organisation.

“It is upon your shoulders that the responsibility of meeting the aspirations of our great nation rests. I want you to be mindful of the fact that your recruitment into the Nigeria Customs Service was merit-based.

“You were chosen from among over half a million applications received at the initial stage of the exercise. You have earned your place here, and it comes with great responsibility.

“You are expected to serve your nation with diligence, discipline, and the highest level of integrity at all times. Upholding these values is not just a duty but a necessity. Always be smart in appearance, for it reflects the pride you take in your role as a Customs officer. Be the embodiment of excellence and service in every aspect of your conduct,” he said.

Adeniyi also said fighting smugglers and smuggling activities deserved concerted efforts from well-meaning Nigerians.

He said: “It has to be a kind of concerted efforts by everybody concerned, particularly those communities living around our borders. This was why I went to see many of them.

“I visited them; I had engagements with them. I sought their support, sought their protection and understanding. I made them to understand that our economy will not survive if we allow smugglers to continue to perpetrate their heinous crimes.

“We are happy that the narrative is changing, gradually. I was in Shaki, in Oyo State, some weeks ago, and I saw how the traditional rulers and leaders in those communities came out en masse, not only to welcome us but to give us assurance that they would be ready to support us in all our training activities and in our operations.

“The story was not different when I went to the northwestern borders. I had very serious engagements with members of the communities. We are hopeful that with their support, we will significantly win the war against smuggling.”

Also, Adeniyi has said the era of deficit in handling weapons and ammunition is over in the NCS.

He said: “You represent the image and reputation of the service upon your shoulders as you move on with your own to discharge your assignments.”

The CGC urged Nigerians to review their confidence and truth in the Customs officers holding weapons, as the era of rampant cases of shooting of innocent Nigerians was over.

“I want to charge them to continue with that kind of spirit, the spirit of ‘we are ready to do it’, in spite of the challenges, and in spite of the obstacles around us.

“We have seen it ourselves that in the past, there have been the challenge of deficit in capacity; either they were not adequately trained or we did not give enough attention to it.

“But the incidents of the past few months have challenged us to ensure that we entrust our arms and ammunitions in the care of those who are properly trained to do so; those who have the capacity to do so; and those who have the right sense of mind, the right mental presence and capacity to do so.

“These people are well-trained, they have the passion to do the job, and they are ready.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the era of officers and men of the service shooting innocent citizens is over due to the training acquired during the six months intensive training.

“You are expected to serve your nation with diligence, discipline and the highest level of integrity at all times.

“Upholding these values is not just a duty but a necessity. Always be smart in appearance, for it reflects the pride you take in your role as Customs officers.

“Be the embodiment of excellence and service in every aspect of your conduct,” Adeniyi added.

The commandant of the college, Rasheed Adahunse, said the trainees covered topics on enforcement, revenue, valuation, export and import procedures, passenger selection, parcel post, administration, ITC and some other valuable things.

He said the recruits have mastered the drills and excelled in academic activities within six months while they were committed to checking boarder activities with joint efforts of the communities.