Irked by clashes between Customs officers and dwellers in border communities/traders trading through the land borders, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col Ahmeed Ali (rtd) has intensified efforts to train and retrain officers and men of the Service on the need to be professional with arms/ammunitions.

Speaking at the Seme Border Command of the Service recently, the CGC, who was represented by the zonal Coordinator, zone ‘A’ ,  Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Eporwei Charles Bernard Edike, said nothing is worth losing life for.

According to the ACG “Human life is sacred. The CG does not tolerate the improper use of arms under any guise. Why should we lose human life when all of us are citizens of this great country Nigeria working for the same national aspirations, goals and objectives?

Edike reiterated the commitment of the CG to equip and train all Customs officers in all areas of Customs operations to enhance their professional competence and deliver on their respective assignments in any of its commands across the country.

In his words “Customs work is very tasking. Whether you are at the border posts or anywhere else, as a Customs officer, you have to know your job and be very professional about it. Do not be provoked by youths and traders at the borders and resort to the use of arms when, by controlling you emotions and rising above them, you could better manage any situation”.

While emphasizing the need for peaceful co-existence between Customs officers and host communities at the border command of the Seme/Badagry axis of Lagos state, the ACG called on community leaders to talk to their people on the need to obey trade laws, guidelines and regulations. This he stressed could eliminate friction and ensure a better business environment for everybody.

The CG also urged officers to be diligent in their duties and not to relent on the enforcement and implementation of federal government economic policies on international trade.

Recall that the Nigeria Customs Service has trained Chinese in Nigeria on Customs trade Laws at the Chinese Consulate in Lagos.

The Customs management Board also dismissed one of its officers for improper handling of arms.

These underscores the CGC’s resolve for training/retraining and commitment to enforcement of disciplinary measures to erring officers of the Service.