WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TRIGGER-HAPPY OFFICERS IN OUR ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS—COMPT OTUNLA
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
No matter the provocations by dare-devil smugglers, the Ogun 1 Customs command, Idiroko, says it will not tolerate trigger-happy officers who derive pleasure in snuffing life out of suspected economic saboteurs within its jurisdiction, just in an effort to intercept any contraband.
Brand new Area Controller of the command, Compt Godwin Aderonmu Otunla disclosed to THIS PAGE Newspaper that he would not accept any reason(s) of stray bullets against any citizen at the borders in a bid to seize goods, while chasing suspected smugglers.
‘You dare not kill anyone just for the purpose of intercepting any contraband, as such seizure can not be equated to life’
According to him, it is only in rare cases when the life of the officer is threatened and in serious danger, and that would be a last resort.
Otunla stated that the Ogun 1 command is very wide and is now more intelligence-driven in its operations, which he noted would also reduce the incidence of unnecessary casualties hitherto experienced in some of its operations years ago.
At the moment, he spoke of collaborations and enlightenment with various communities around the borders, where the command tries to educate them on the dangers inherent in smuggling which he describes as an economic sabotage.
In view of the spirit and letters of the collaboration, the command is initiating a comprehensive infrastructure provision to the border communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Otunla noted that his senior colleagues in other area commands have pledged to support his command in the provision of such infrastructural facilities to border communities in the area.
They will include the renovation of school buildings and provision of furniture, rebuilding and equipping of health centers, digging of boreholes as well as provision of electricity( where possible).
He said some of the communities are restive because of dearth of such infrastructures, noting that some of them have no electricity, no motorable roads as well as health facilities.
The Idiroko command helmsman said his colleagues appreciate the expansive nature of the Idiroko area command and have told him that he can not do it alone.
The Area controllers of the Premier command Apapa, Tin can Island, the PTML as well as the Zonal Co-ordinator are all in league with him in this regard.
Notwithstanding that the Ogun 1 command Idiroko is primarily an anti-smuggling command, Compt Otunla stated that he is aggressively pursuing revenue generation with vigor in order to contribute and beef up the customs’ revenue profile. From N10 million it made in April, the command was able to generate N40 million last month, a 300 percent increase.
He revealed that in order to sustain the tempo of revenue generation, he has convened meetings with his Beninois counterparts as well as stakeholders/importers so that they can start bringing in their goods through the Idiroko border corridor.
He said the command’s examination bay is available, with modern CPC, valuation, Post Clearance Audit (PCA) and Baggage sections.
Otunla however, noted that the importers from Benin Republic side were complaining bitterly about multiple check points, the bad roads along Winners/Sango Otta axis which they said can easily tumble their trailers, but pledged to use the corridor once the road is fixed.
He also spoke of the fact that the National Security Adviser (NSA) has set up a committee to reduce the check points to acceptable minimum, noting that in no time, the border command will be as busy as that of the Seme axis.