Comptroller Omale Seeks Synergy with Nigerian Customs, Support Traditional Institutions

Joy Mmereole Okoli

The Customs Area Controller, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command ,Comptroller Musa Omale PhD has harped on synergy with Niger Republic Customs and sought for the continuous support of Traditional institutions along border areas. The Area Controller made the call while on a working visit to Illela Border Outstation on the 15th February, 2023.

In a press statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSC Abdullahi Tsafe Abubakar states that While at the border, Comptroller Musa Omale who was in company of his management team received the Commissiaire Des douanes in charge of Birnin N’konni border, Colonel Muhammad Bashir and the paramount ruler of N’kwanni his Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Salifu Sardauna, Sarkin Birnin N’kwanni at the Illela Border Outstation.

The Comptroller who stated that the meeting was to consolidate on the existing relationship between Nigeria Customs Service and its Nigerien counterpart, stressed the need for the personnel of both countries to collaborate with each other in trade facilitation and intelligence sharing so as to stem the tide of banditry and Armed smuggling bedeviling the countries.

In his response, the Commissaire Des douane of Birnin N’kwanni Border Colonel Muhammadu Bashir assured his host of his unflinching support towards Trade facilitation and a safe border.

The Paramount ruler of Birnin N’kwanni, in his part, thanked the Comptroller for the warm reception accorded them, assuring that he would continue to promote peaceful coexistence between his subjects and Nigerian citizens accross the two borders.

Comptroller Musa Omale also had an interactive session with heads of Government Agencies operating at the border Station where he solicited their cooperation to enable the Command to discharge its mandate of revenue generation, and smuggling suppression.

In the same vein, the Area Controller paid homage to the district heads of Sarkin Gobir Na Gwadabawa, Sarkin Rafin Illela and Sarkin Yamman Kware.

He elucidated to the Royal Fathers the need to support the Service to enable it to meet up with its mandate of revenue generation to the Federation account which is used for infrastructural development and payment of salary by Federal and State Governments.

He further pleaded with them to educate their subjects on the dangers of smuggling to the economy, requesting them to also warn them on aiding and abetting smugglers in their heinous act.