Gbolahan Salman Sokoto
The chairman of Nigerian customs license agents in Sokoto, Alhaji Aminu Dan’iya, has warned traders against smuggling of goods through newly reopened illela border.
Dan’iya, who also in charge of Kebbi and Zamfara States described the reopening of the border in illela as not only timely but also will improve on the economic activities of not only his members but the country at large.
He said his members which consists of over 100 members have learnt lessions from the closure and is ready to work in tandem with customs and other relevant agencies.
“We don’t want people to go into smuggling, there is a lot of crimes and loss of lives in the process of smuggling, things will go normal by God’s grace.
“It is hard to express the feelings people went through during the time of border closure, but now everything will be normal” he added.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Customs Service, has assured residents and traders as well as other relevant stakeholders of maximum working relationship at the border post.
The Customs Area Controller, CAC, in charge of Sokoto Command, Abdulhamid Ma’aji, stated this in Illeila while holding meeting with residents communities both from Illeila in Nigeria and representative of Kwanni in Niger Republic as well as relevant stakeholders.
Ma’aji while assuring the people of the community the total cooperation of his men, said the with the opening of the border, economic activities will return to Illeila and it’s environment.
He called on residents of the area to give maximum support to Nigerian Customs and other security agencies so as to help them in discharging their responsibilities.
“Now that this border is open for operation, let me appeal to every residents of both Illeila and Kwanni for their cooperation.
“I want to assure everyone that the Nigerian Customs and it’s sister agencies are ready to be professional in discharging their duties.
“Let me use this opportunity to tell you that all items that are tagged as contraband still remain banned.
“Medicaments and tomapast are banned through the land borders, except through the seaports” he added.
