Governor Dikko Umaru Radda has warned that his administration would henceforth not condone the continued harassment of Katsina citizens carrying out their legitimate businesses, by Customs’ anti-smuggling personnel.
Governor Radda gave the warning in a statement by his spokesperson Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed when the governor received the Senate ad hoc Committee investigating incessant killings of people smuggling rice and other prohibited goods into the country by officers of the Nigeria Customs.
The Governor expressed dismay at the increasing harassment of Jibia border communities in the hands of Customs officials, adding that there have been several assaults of residents of some Katsina communities by operatives of the Customs’ anti-smuggling special force.
He nonetheless urged the NCS to renew its fight against smuggling of arms and illicit drugs, fueling armed banditry across states in the North West and North Central geo-political zones.
“I have interacted at length with the members of the committee, we support their work, and we hereby call on our people that reside along the borders to cooperate with them,” he said.
The governor regretted the alarming rate of proliferation of arms and ammunition into the country, saying it has compounded the movement of consumable goods from and to the area.
Governor Radda said while the Nigeria Customs is mandated to stop smuggling of contraband food items, it is more important that its operatives should curb the smuggling of arms and illicit drugs into the country.
“Curbing the smuggling of arms will also complement ongoing efforts by security agencies in the fight against bandits and other armed groups operating in different parts of the country. Dikko Radda observed that Nigerian law had spelt out clearly prohibited goods that could not be allowed into the country. the governor.
Earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Francis Fadaunshi said they were in Katsina state on a fact finding mission over the alleged harassment of members of Jibia communities by personnel of the Nigeria Customs.
This, he said, followed a motion raised by the Senator representing Katsina Central, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua, seeking the intervention of the apex chamber.
The committee has Senators Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, Adeola Olamilekan, Shuaib Salisu, Kawu Sumaila, Tony Nwoye and Suleiman Sadiq as members.
The committee which was received by the Governor at the Government House in Katsina was accompanied by some senior Custom officials from the Federal Operations Unit Zone B.
