The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), sought the support of the Nigeria Police and Paramount ruler of Yewa Land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, against smuggling in the state. Compt Kolawole Oladeji, disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit on the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Abiodun Alamutu, at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta and the monarch in his palace in Ilaro, Ogun State.
Compt. Oladeji told the Police CP that the visit was strategic to Customs operations as most of the border areas had been benefiting from the cordial working relationship between both agencies. He described the synergy between the police and customs operatives in the state as superb, “I felt the need to familiarise with you because of the peace and tranquillity that pervades this area; to thank you for the assistance of the Nigeria Police because each time we had an issue, they are always the first port of call,” he said.
Responding, the CP said the visit was a testament to the strong synergy and partnership that has been existing between the two security agencies, especially in the efforts to ensure that there is peace and security in the country. “I want to reassure you that the Ogun State Command is strongly in tune with the Nigeria Customs service. We have been working collaboratively to succeed in ensuring that there is peace and security in the state,” Alamutu stated.
Earlier at the palace of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Compt. Oladeji, described Ilaro as very crucial to the success of his job being a very large city close to the border areas. He said the team was in his palace on a courtesy visit and to receive his blessings following his recent resumption of duty at the unit. He, therefore pleaded with the king to take the Customs operatives as his children, and not hesitate to call their attention whenever the need arises.
On his part, Oba Olugbenle commended the gradual return of professionalism to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) since the coming of the new Controller-General, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, and urged the NCS to remain focused and not allow their profession to be messed up again.
Acknowledging the reign of peace at the borders since the new CGC returned the service to professionalism, he said the service had been militarised. “Now you have the responsibility to promote professionalism and not allow others to take over your profession.”
He further stated that though frictions still exist, especially given the harsh economy and high unemployment, there had not been killings as before. However, listing their challenges, the monarch urged the Federal Government to lift the ban on fuel supply to the border areas, describing it as “unfair.”
“It is like we are ceding the areas to Benin (Republic). The quantity supplied even to the free areas is also inadequate, and everybody now runs to Ilaro and Owode to buy fuel,” he said, adding that since there was no longer fuel subsidy, there is no need sustaining the ban on fuel supply to the borders.