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By Steve Agbota
Following the incessant attacks on operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) by smugglers and hoodlums, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), has condemned in strong terms, the heinous act even as it urged the Federal Government to forestall further attacks.
APFFLON said there is need to invest in modern security technology across the nation’s land borders and also equip Customs operatives with needed gadgets and quality firearms to effectively tackle smugglers and hoodlums at any time.
APFFLON, in a statement in Lagos on Monday signed by its President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, recalled that it was recently reported that no fewer than three operatives of the NCS were shot dead while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The statement quoted the Public Relations Officer, NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah as saying in a statement that some unscrupulous hoodlums suspected to be smugglers resorted to unleashing mayhem on customs officers.
“APFFLON cannot agree less with the National Public Relations Officer of Customs. We hereby condemn unequivocally, the dastardly act as we urge the Federal Government to arise and take charge of the situation.
“We also read in the news that the missing body of another Customs officer was found floating on Ipaja River in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, while too others kidnapped by daredevil smugglers operating in Ogun State, were both found dead in Fagbohun Village over interception of smuggled rice from Benin Republic.
“We hereby vehemently condemn the mindless killings of Customs operatives, they are human beings who have families and relations too. The incessant attacks and gruesome murder of Customs operatives, especially at border areas, calls for urgent government intervention and should no longer be handled with kid gloves,” he added.
APFFLON strongly maintain that if at all any investment in technology is in pipeline; investment in border security should be given top priority, urging Federal Government to fortify major entry points with modern security technology and also equip Customs operatives and other border security personnel with needed gadgets and quality firearms to effectively confront smugglers and hoodlums at any time.
“Enough of the massacre of customs operatives, they are human beings, Government should take proactive measure to protect them. If this continues, it means in no distant time, no officer would take up such assignments any longer, and that portends serious danger to the country. Government should invest in latest technology to secure our borders. Training and retraining of Customs Operatives and formation of Joint Task Force to protect all the agencies is very germaine at this critical time,” he lamented.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to put proper insurance scheme in place to cover customs operatives and their families adding that drones and helicopters should also be deployed for effective border policing.
“And most importantly, engagement of neighbouring countries for intelligence gathering and access to very sensitive information.
“Our country is facing serious security threat on all fronts, and applying every effective measure to combat it will do the country pretty good while the Nigeria Customs Service should improve on their public relations and engage stakeholders in all sectors”, he added.
