The Assistant Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Zone B, Kaduna State, Alhaji Aminu Dahiru says the service will henceforth involve communities in the fight against smuggling in the zone.
Dahiru told newsmen in Minna on Wednesday that the involvement of communities, especially those at the borders, would enable field officers to gather intelligence reports about movements of smugglers.
He said that already the area comptrollers and officers in charge of various border posts had been adequately briefed on security measures to adopt in apprehending smugglers.
“We have mobilised and equipped officers with required working tools at Illela, Kamba, Babana and Jibia border posts to prevent all kinds of smuggling,” he said.
Dahiru said that the zone had reached out to stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders to educate residents on the negative effects of smuggling on the economy.
He said that educating members of the public would greatly assist officers at the border posts to apprehend smugglers.
“We will also continue to seek the support of stakeholders as well as traditional rulers on measures taken to ensure that duties were paid on all goods coming to the country through the zone.
“We have identified all the routes of smugglers and our men are battle ready to confront them,” he said.
He called on officers and men of the zone to continue to put in their best as hard working ones would be rewarded.