The Joint Border Drill Operations, Sector 3, on Friday sensitised members of the Kwara State Association of Textiles, Shoes and Veils in Ilorin.
Our Correspondent reports that the interactive session was conducted in English and Yoruba languages.
The acting Coordinator of the operation, Compt. Garba Mohammad, educated the stakeholders on the importance of border closure.
The coordinator called the meeting to re emphasise his mission in the sector, which is to enforce Federal Government directives and policies on partial border closure.
The partial border closure made it possible for movement of persons with valid traveling documents from 6 a.m to 6 p.m.
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Mohammed encouraged local farmers and industrialists to strive and provide job opportunities to the teeming youths, adding that it will provide more security to the nation.
“If the environment is not secured, revenue generation and collection will be a mirage for the Nigeria Customs Service and the country,” he said.
The coordinator warned the association not to patronise or sell smuggled goods.
He also advised dealers of textile materials buying their goods from Kano or elsewhere to always have a copy of Single Goods Declaration (SGD) form used and paid for their goods from the original importers to avoid their goods being seized.
Mohammed also sought for the association’s assistance to partner with the sector, by embarking on sensitisation programme of their members.
“Sensitisation programme is capable of dissuading smuglers and those who work against the interest of the nation
“Section 147 of Customs and Exercise law gives power to Customs officers to search and raid any premises suspected to be housing smuggled goods, including shops, company or house identified, will not be spared,” he warned.
The coordinator said that in line with the president’s transformation agenda, especially in the area of security, the service has keyed into protecting the borders from infiltration of dangerous weapons and destructive materials.
He listed some of the achievements of the border drill to include reduction of smuggling of illicit arms used for terrorism, illegal drugs, substandard foods with potentials to cause health hazards.
Mohammed said that there is also reduction in human and child trafficking, illegal migration, reduction in the quantity of petrol exported illegally.
According to him, the operation has most importantly recorded increase in revenue generation.
