Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, has emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening community relationships along border areas to ensure the effective execution of its constitutional responsibilities. This objective aims to facilitate smoother operations within the borders.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Thursday by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, it was reported that Adeniyi shared this perspective during a courtesy visit by members of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Customs and Excise, headed by Senator Francis Ade Fadahunsi, to the Customs Service’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja….CONTINUE READING

The ad-hoc Committee, which was formed on July 19, 2023, was tasked with investigating reported incidents of recurring violence involving officers and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service. The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, established the 7-member committee to examine the Customs’ relationship with local communities, particularly in the Katsina axis. Senator Francis Fadahunsi, a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, was appointed to lead the committee.

During the discussion, Adeniyi expressed appreciation for the committee’s efforts to enhance Customs’ border relationships through fact-finding missions in various regions.

He underscored the significance of maintaining harmonious ties with host communities to ensure the success of Customs’ trade facilitation and revenue generation objectives.

Adeniyi emphasized that the Customs Service is dedicated to serving the interests of the community it operates within and cannot afford to alienate any segment. He acknowledged the essential role communities play in Customs’ mandate fulfillment.

Senator Fadahunsi, who submitted a progress report on their border area fact-finding visits, conveyed the Senate’s commitment to assisting in resolving misunderstandings between Customs and local communities.

He commended the Acting Comptroller-General’s approach toward improving community relations and assured a cooperative working relationship between the committee and the Customs Service to achieve their shared goals.

The delegation from the committee included members Shuaib Salisu (Ogun Central), Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Suleiman Sadiq (Kwara North), Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central), and Adeola Olamilekan (Ogun Central). This collaborative effort between the Senate committee and the Customs Service aims to strengthen community engagement, contributing to enhanced operations and peaceful coexistence in border regions.