Matilda Omonaiye/
The Unit Comptroller of the Federal Operations (FOU) Zone C’ in Owerri, Ali Ibrahim, says Nigeria Customs under his Zone will not compromise on its constitutional mandate as regards national security.
Ibrahim was honoured during the 31st Edition of the Annual Lecture/Awards of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN), held in Ikeja, Lagos.
Ibrahim, who received CRAN’s Star Award For Anti-Smuggling, was among respected and deserving Nigerians recognized by the association for his gallantry, Revenue Generation in Zone C Command.
He said that inspite of insecurity problems in the Eastern region, Nigeria Customs under his Zone would not relent in its effort to put a stop to smuggling of dangerous products into the country.
He added that more intelligence was being applied more than ever before in the anti- smuggling operations of the customs in view of what looked like an unusual situation around the nation.
Corroborating the fact that South East used to be one of the peaceful zones in the country, he said that the ugly situation now is a temporary set back that would fizzle out with time, as every nation has its own difficult phase in history.
Ibrahim stressed that there was no alternative to peaceful coexistence as that was the only way to engender a virile development of any country.
He said every security apparatchik had a role to play in sustaining national security, and the customs, being a major stakeholder especially in curtailing the influx of arms smuggling would not fail to maintain the tempo.
According to him, citizens must do everything possible to coexist as suspicion and internal strife were the forerunners of any country’s disintegration.
Making reference to the Sahel region where peace has almost eluded them as a result of internal strife, he insisted that tribal sentiments or religious intolerance must take the back seat if any nation must move forward.
Ali Ibrahim said his Unit would key into the mandate given to it by the Comptroller General which centred on the extant laws of the service in promoting security of lives by preventing importation of uncustomed or prohibited items nipping in the bud evasion of duties, facilitation of lawful trade as well as protection of the economy.
He spoke of the Unit’s desire to make striking or spectacular seizures across the states in the south, as that would be the major yardstick to hold a briefing in no distant future.
Reminded that since he mounted the rostrum, seized goods have been a constant feature and that his officers especially on the Benin axis were harvesting seizures that could make headlines, he agreed but stated that views differ, in this instance as few might not see such intercepted goods as worthy to attract any briefing yet.
“We are looking forward to magnificent seizures to enable us converge here for a briefing before the year runs out.” he said.
He was again taken on the fact that when striking seizures are not made, it goes to show that the officers are working hard; for smugglers to have gone underground, he also reluctantly agreed but noted that it was also better if striking seizures are made “to show that we are on top of the situation”.
The Unit Comptroller enlisted the support and synergy between the media and the service in promoting national security
Noting that the pen is mightier than the sword, Ibrahim went on to state that all security agencies as well as state actors must synergies to be able to surmount the present insurgency in the country.
He added that positive media will build the nation than destroy it.
Among the CRAN awardees are; Dr Babatope Agbeyo Chairman, Cornfield Group of Company, IGP Usman Baba, Governor Hope Uzodima of Imo State, AIG Zone2, Bode Adeleke, CP Abiodun Alabi Lagos Police Commissioner, DSP Edafe Bright Delta PPRO, Immediate Past President CRAN Odita Sunday, Commandant Eweka Okoro, Lagos NSCDC; SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos PPRO; CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, FPRO; South West Zonal Coordinator, Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Sani Yusuf, Former General Manager LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu, CSP Joseph Egwuowu; MFM General Overseer, Daniel Olukoya; LASTMA Officer, Akinwunmiju Michael; CSP Tolani Lamina DPO, CSP Onyinye Onwuamaegbu, DPO Lion Building, among others.
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