…Reads Riot Act to Smugglers as Team makes several seizures in less than two months
…Pays Courtesy visit to Area Commands
The Coordinator, Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), Sector 2, Deputy Comptroller of Customs MS Shuaibu has solicited for more robust and purposeful relationship with Area Commands in South West Zone to achieve effective Service Delivery.
DC Shuaibu Strengthened the synergy and collaboration with the Commands during his three day familiarization visit to Area Controllers and management of all Commands within the Zone.
This is in recognition of the magnitude of smuggling in the Country, and its impact on security of the nation.
According to the Coordinator, the visitation is necessary in order to solicits more support, mentorship and vast knowledge on more strategies to achieve the Sector’s mandate.
“We are only complementing efforts of various Commands we’ve visited. The collaboration, synergy and partnership exists before, we are only strengthening the existing synergy with our visit to the Commands.
“I believe we are on the verge of achieving the mandate set by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service especially on security issues. We are not relenting on our efforts on the war against PMS, Citizens are thus advised to engage more on legitimate businesses because the team would be tougher on smugglers if they do not desist,” he warned.
During the flag-off of the tour to Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Bello Muhammed Jibo at Federal Operations Unit(FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday 30January 2024, DC Shuaibu revealed that within short period of his appointment as the Coordinator of JBPT Sector 2, the Sector has successfully made several seizures of three thousand, five hundred and forty one(3,541) bags of foreign parboiled rice, two thousand, four hundred and eighty three(2,483) Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit with fifteen million, nine hundred and eighty one thousand naira(N15,981,000) as auction value, among others.
Going down memory lane, DC Shuaibu, who assumed duty on the 22nd of December 2023 as the Coordinator of JBPT Sector 2, gave account of what led to creation of Border Drill that is now referred to as Joint Border Patrol Team.
Joint Border Patrol Team according to him, was formed in 2019 as Border Drill in order to enforce closure of all Nigeria borders and to address issues of anti money laundering, illicit trafficking of persons, drugs, among others. However, with time it’s name changed from Border Drill to Joint Border Patrol Team and also the re-opening of borders led to streamlining of the Security Agencies involved into two-Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service as others were asked to return to base.
“Although, there is still a tripartite platform at which we communicate with other Sister Agencies, we still maintain synergy despite their return to base. All activities are communicated on the platform and is coordinated by the National Coordinator DCG EMI Muhammed,” he said.
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, MM Abdullahi, who was also part of the entourage stressed the need to sought for more collaboration, cooperation and synergy for goals are easily achieved when there is collaboration than when done individually.
In response, ACG B.M Jibo expressed appreciation for the Coordinator and his entourage’s visit to the Zone but saddled them with the responsibilities of effective supervision of subordinates and also ensuring safety of Nigeria borders with full collaboration with other sister agencies despite the streamline.
His words, “I know you to be an experienced enforcement officer, who would have mapped out strategies to achieve his goals but there’s need to put more effort in areas of synergy with other sister agencies to achieve your goals, ensure safety of Nigeria Borders as this guarantees the importance of Nigeria Economy. You need to ensure effective supervision of your subordinates, monitor them, make sure know preferential treatment is allowed and they should be well guided.”
The team also received warmth reception at Lilypond Export Command, Ijora Lagos, where Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya pledged maximum cooperation with the team to ensure the Service’s mandate is achieved. The Controller emphasized on non- tolerance of trade involving endangered species at the Command and maintained that for export goods, the Command always ensure all necessary processes are satisfied before goods are allowed out of the country.
At TinCan Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi saw DC Shuaibu’s visit as a move that consolidate the motto of World Customs Organization – “Border Divide Customs Connect”, “Connecting with Stakeholders that are members of this border Community hasten the achievements of your mandate,” he said
He craved the indulgence of the team to continue to support the Command’s efforts to ease business within Port environs by removing every trade barriers which includes delay of movement of goods out of Ports. He also underscored the importance attached to timely release of cargoes at all Ports by global Customs Administration, a target that must be met by Nigeria to be on the same page with international practices.
Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Port Command, on his part appreciated the Joint Border Patrol Team for their visit to APapa Command and also charged them to redouble their efforts in achieving the Service mandate, engage in proper supervision and continuous orientation of junior teams in order to achieve set goals. “We know the implications of not having a secured border, any influx of fire arms raises eyebrow. So we really need to redouble our efforts. On banned goods, for government to ban any good, we should know it’s for the interest of the country. When importation is disallowed, more people will be encouraged into agricultural products, producing local made goods and the more we patronize our local made goods, the more they improve in their quality and in the end the economy will improve. To have a safe nation together, there is need to continue engaging the youths in valuable things,” he said.
However, at PTML Command, Comptroller Abba Seidu Yusuf, assured the team of his full support and vouched his confidence for DC Shuaibu stating he has the capacity and criteria to deliver, as his actions on the road will forestall smuggling of vehicles and things will be done appropriately. “Your presence on the road will help enhance our new policy about to be implemented – Harmonizing values of vehicles. Besides there’s no personal interest or goal for any security agency but a common goal -to secure Nigeria States, thus the need to further strengthen relationships with everyone and I appreciate you more for this move,” he said.
Comptroller Odaudu Salefu of Western Marine Command charged the team’s Coordinator to always ‘Look Again’ in order to detect hidden facts that can lead to success. Making research and also embracing team work will help enhance productivity. He also promised support for the team from Gbokoda in Ondo State to Ogun State within the waterfront. He enjoined the team to be loyal to their superior and advised the Coordinator to groom and encourage subordinates to live up to standard.
Meanwhile at Seme-Krake Border Command on Wednesday 31 January 2023, Comptroller Bomodi expressed appreciation to Officers of the JBPT Sector 2 for their support within the few months he assumed duty as Customs Area Controller, Seme-Krake Border. “Quite a number of seizures have been recorded with the full support of the Joint Border Patrol Team. The border is a very sensitive station as Lagos- Abidjan Corridor is a lot busier. I really appreciate your support. As such, we need to do all we can to facilitate trade. We are obligated to provide assistance needed in terms of welfare issues, expansion of already existing facilities for JBPT Officers among others,” Comptroller Bomodi noted.
The team also visited Comptroller of Immigration Service, Seme Command, Audi Douglas Tanko who appreciated their visit and also pledged to support them in all ramifications.
A tour to Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko was quite impressive as the JBPT entourage were given warmth reception by management of the Command led by DC Administration, CA Ogunesan, who represented Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller AB Shuaibu, and the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Idiroko Command, Muhammed Taiye Kallamu
DC Ogunesan stressed the positivity in fostering collaboration than individuality “We can achieve greater and better when we synergize. In togetherness we achieve more. As we are for the same purpose, let’s keep our heads high, be vigilant and more focused to achieve the Service mandate,” he stressed.
CIS Taiye Kallamu on his part pledged support for the achievement of the common goal – ‘protecting Nigeria Border’ and also opined that united the agencies stand divided they fall.
The team further visited Barrister Olushola Bisi Alade, Customs Area Controller, Ogun 11 Area Command, Abeokuta, who pledged his solidarity support for the patrol team, emphasized how supportive and hospitable Southwest region is but maintained the region will not want casualties. He thus enjoined the team to play safe, be fair, reasonable and just in the discharge of their duties and further prayed for their continuous success and safety.
On Thursday 1, February 2024, DC Shuaibu and his team also paid courtesy visit to Oyo/Osun Command of the Service, and they were warmly received by management of the Command led by Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, , the 33rd Customs Area Controller of Oyo/ Osun Command.
Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, a Scholar, an historian and also the 33rd Customs Area Controller of Oyo /Osun Command was of the opinion that Nigeria with about 923,769sq Km in size can be best secured with full collaboration and synergy with all Commands and Sister Agencies. He maintained that Nigeria Land border area is enormous and more Personnel is needed in the Service. ‘Just as the border area between Nigeria and Niger is about 1041sq km, with Benin Republic is 773sq Km, with Cameroon is 1600sq Km and with Chad is 83sq Km, no amount of Officers placed at different positions of this borders can be adequate enough because of the tough situation, hence all hands must be on deck to support the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving it’s mandate,’ he added.
DC Shuaibu was also recognized with gifts of plague by most of the Commands for his visit, a Man that hails from Lafia, Nassarawa State where he obtained his primary and secondary education before proceeding to Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic for his Higher National Diploma and Post Graduate in Agric & Extension Mgt Course before going for his masters in Environmental Resource Management from Lagos State University. He joined Nigeria Customs Service has cadet training officer and was commissioned in 1992. He has served in various Commands and Units at various capacities -Commander CGC Strike Force Zone A, Acting Coordinator Border drill Sector 2, DC Enforcement APapa, Staff. Officer General Headquarters, and now Coordinator JBPT Sector 2.
Members of his entourage on the three-day tour include-Acting Controller Commander, Nigeria Immigration Service, JBPT, M Abdullahi Murtala; AC A Adamu-Axis leader of Ogun Command;AC David Kashimu-Team Leader Ilashi, Idiroko;AC BO Ugwu-Acting axis leader Oyo, CSC D Sabo- OC Operation Ogun State;SC Sanni-Acting PRO JBPT Sector 2;DC Oghene; SC Animashaun-OC Ilaro axis;SC Olanrewaju; NC Tanbuwa;NC Nwachio;JC Abdulkareem; SC KIO, among others.
Although several successes have been recorded within the short period DC Shuaibu assumed duty as the Coordinator of Sector 2, more focus and action is still needed on synergy and collaboration with sister agencies; there is need for adoption of the use of modern technologies like installation of cameras where necessary by the management to enhance their activities; they need to create more healthy relationships with all Area Commands and border hosts Communities like good Community engagement Programmes. Just as it is important for JBPT to achieve it’s mandate, they need to play safe, be fair and reasonable in the discharge of their duties.
