The Assistant Comptroller- General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone’ B’,  Aminu Dahiru, has directed customs personnel in the zone to prevent smuggling of dangerous weapons and drugs into the country.
Dahiru made the appeal in Minna when he addressed customs personnel of Niger, Kogi and Kwara States Area Commands.
He said that it was the duty of all Customs personnel to not only stop smuggling but also prevent illegal importation of arms and drugs used to destroy the country.
Dahiru warned that the zone would not tolerate any form of laxity on the part of the personnel but promised adequate reward for those who distinguished themselves.
“ This zone is a `no go’ area for smugglers, as competent officers have been stationed in all identified illegal routes to ensure their arrest,” he said.
He advised those engaged in illegal importation of prohibited items to legalise their trade, saying, it was cheaper and safer.
“ There is more money to be made in exporting any kind of our local goods than in smuggling business.
“We are even ready to offer technical advice to any business man that wants to venture into exporting locally made goods,” the official added.
Dahiru solicited the support of the media in educating Nigerians on the negative effect of smuggling to the nation’s economy.
Earlier, the Area Commander, Benjamin Binga, said the command was working to meet its N2.8 billion revenue target for the year.
He appealed for the provision of more patrol vehicles to the command for effective operations.