Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the Area Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, says that his command has adopted a media and religion-based approach to fight smuggling.

Atiku told our correspondent in Sokoto on Saturday that the strategy would enable border communities in the states to assist customs officers with information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of smugglers.

He said that special jingles on the negative effects of smuggling on the economy, packaged by his command, were now being broadcast by the electronic media.

Besides, Atiku said that religious leaders had been encouraged to deliver special sermons in mosques on Friday to educate their followers on the need to participate in the anti-smuggling campaign.

He noted that people had always been listening to statements and advice of religious leaders and traditional rulers, adding that the command would mobilise them to aid the implementation of its anti-smuggling strategies.

“My area of jurisdiction is a no-go area for any smuggler, as competent officers have been deployed across the states to carry out their mandate,” he said.

Atiku also said that his command was collaborating with security agencies in the crusade against smuggling through coordinated security patrols.

“We are working like a family to achieve the set objectives of the anti-smuggling crusade for the overall development of our economy,” he said.

The area comptroller called on officers and men of his command to continue to put in their best, assuring them that the hardworking ones would be rewarded.