Customs Intensifies Anti-Smuggling Operations in Badagry, Seeks Stronger Community Partnership
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its campaign against smuggling activities in the Badagry area of Lagos State, calling on traditional rulers and residents to partner with the Service in curbing the menace.
The Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, and his council of chiefs on Tuesday.
Ntadi emphasized that the fight against smuggling and drug abuse could only be effective with the collective efforts of community leaders and residents.
"We need the cooperation of our community leaders to fight smuggling,” he said. “Drug abuse is not only destroying our youth, but it is also hurting our economy and social structure.”
The Customs boss explained that the Command had designed and begun implementing several interventions to tackle smuggling and drug-related crimes in coastal and border areas.
He noted that smugglers often exploit waterways and border routes to traffic illicit substances into the country, stressing that the Service was determined to put an end to such activities in Badagry.
According to him, the Service under the leadership of Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi has established a Care Desk through which community concerns and welfare requests can be channelled for action.
"Our goal is to ensure that we have a productive society and suppress economic saboteurs,” Ntadi said. “We will use constant sensitisation and other initiatives to take our youths off the streets and channel their energy into meaningful ventures.”
Describing his visit as both personal and professional, Ntadi revealed that he had lived in Badagry for over two decades and maintained strong ties with the community. He reaffirmed Customs’ commitment to sustaining its long-standing relationship with the people of Badagry.
Responding on behalf of the monarch, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, the Onipetoji of Badagry Kingdom, commended Ntadi for his consistency and devotion to duty, lauding his efforts in engaging the community on anti-smuggling and anti-drug sensitisation campaigns.
Ogunbiyi, however, expressed concern over the rising unemployment rate among youths, which he said was pushing many into smuggling and drug peddling.
"The youths are not lazy; they are simply frustrated by a lack of opportunities,” he said. “We appeal to Customs and other agencies to extend employment opportunities to our youths to give them hope.”
Also speaking, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi, the Zonlin-Gbedudugan of Badagry Kingdom, described the rise in drug consumption as alarming, warning that the community risked having “lunatic youths” roaming the streets if the trend continued unchecked.
He urged Customs to collaborate with other security agencies and community groups to strengthen sensitisation efforts, while another leader, Chief Thomas Yemayinse, stressed that the absence of jobs and social amenities had made many young people vulnerable to illicit activities.
"If we can create opportunities, these youths will become assets, not threats to the society,” Yemayinse said.
The meeting ended with a joint resolution to sustain regular engagements between the Nigeria Customs Service and traditional leaders toward building safer, drug-free, and economically vibrant communities in Badagry.
0 Comments