Punish officers misusing firearms at border points – Senate tells NCS

The Senate on Tuesday called for the punishment of any personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) who misuse their firearms at the nation’s borders

The upper legislative chamber also asked the service to reduce the number of checkpoints at border communities to aid free flow of goods.

The lawmakers took the decisions after it adopted the recommendations of an ad hoc committee.

Presenting the report during plenary, the chairman of the Committee, Francis Fadahunsi, said the comptrollers at the Idiroko and Katsina borders should be replaced with new ones.

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“Federal government should direct the comptroller-general of customs and other heads of security agencies to reduce the multiple checkpoints mounted in border communities,” the Osun senator said.

“It will aid free flow of goods in and around the communities to the main town.

“Comptroller-general of customs should investigate and review border activities. Officers found guilty of abuse of firearms should be punished.

“Federal government should put into consideration the social bond that exists between the border communities and other foreign countries, such as people of the border community and the people of Benin Republic.

“Federal government should provide basic amenities for people in the affected border communities.

“The senate should commend the Seme area command of Nigeria customs and Saki area command of Nigeria customs for ensuring cordial relationship between the communities and the commands.

“The CG should investigate the shooting of the convoy of the Katsina chief of staff.”

“The Comptroller General of Customs should investigate and review the alleged issuance of unofficial receipt to traders and non-traders in Jibia and Mai’adua, Katsina State by officials of Customs and other security agencies.

“This act has caused untold hardship to people living in these communities, as moving of goods (farm produce) across major markets and even to Katsina town and other neighboring States is a herculean task.

The committee also recommended that there should be recruitment of border community youths into the service.

“The Comptroller General of Customs should redeploy the Comptrollers of Kastina/Kaduna and Idiroko Area Commands, and appoint replacements who should establish a good community engagement programme. This will create a healthy relationship, make the Customs realize its mandate without being insensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the Communities in the State.”