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By Steve Agbota
Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) has honoured Comptroller Bamidele Makinde of the Customs Area Controller Ogun 1 Command and Superintendent of Customs Adamu Idris, Coordinator Roving B Team of Ogun 1 Area Command with the excellence leadership award in Customs operation and overall best performing patrol leader in anti-smuggling activities.
Comptroller Makinde, who received CRAN’s star award for his exemplary dedication and leadership excellence was among respected and deserving Nigerians recognised by the association for his gallantry, revenue generation in Zone A Command.
Speaking while receiving the award, Makinde said that more intelligence is being applied now more than ever before in the anti- smuggling operations of the Customs in view of what looked like an unusual situation around the nation.
According to him, there is no alternative to peaceful coexistence as that is the only way to engender a virile development of Amy country. He said every security apparatchic has a role to play in sustaining national security, and the Customs, being a major stakeholder especially in curtailing the influx of arms smuggling will not fail to maintain the tempo. He added that citizens must do everything possible to coexist as suspicion and internal strife were the forerunners of any country’s disintegration.
In the same vein, the Superintendent of Customs Adamu Idris, Coordinator Roving B Team of Ogun 1 Area Command was honoured for his hardwork and dedication to anti-smuggling duty.
Idris, a dedicated patrol leader, was recognised for his outstanding performance. At the parade ground of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Idiroko, Ogun State, he was honored with the prestigious Award of Excellence by the Crime CRAN.
Adamu Idris has been actively involved in various roles within the Ogun 1 Area of the Nigeria Customs Service. Notably, he has served as the Patrol Leader of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Special Taskforce Team A and also as the Coordinator of Roving A Team. Presently, he holds the position of Coordinator of Roving B Team within the Command.
Over the years, he has distinguished himself as the overall best-performing patrol leader in Ogun 1 Area Command. The sterling performances of his team under his quality leadership have continued to earn him accolades and several awards of excellence from the office of the CAC.
During the monthly officers parade held at the Customs House, Idiroko, the CAC, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde presented an award of excellence to Roving B team of the Command led by SC Adamu Idris, in recognition of the spectacular seizures made in the month of June, 2023.
These seizures include: 3,610 pieces of used tyres; 194 cartons of codeine syrup; 532 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each and a Dangote truck used for conveyance; 140 bales of used clothing; and 1,520 pairs of used shoes.
The team alongside other patrol teams such as the Roving A team led by SC SI Eze and the CAC Special Taskforce Team A led by ASC 1 AS Gimba, also received letters of commendation from the CAC for their outstanding performances and immense contribution to the anti-smuggling achievements of the Command in the first half of the year (2023).
However, Makinde said his Area Command will key into the mandate given to it by the Customs management team, 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 Area’s desire to make striking or spectacular seizures in his area of jurisdiction, 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 were harvesting seizures that can make headlines, he agreed but stated that views differ, in this instance as few may 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 second quarters runs out.” he said.
