Customs warns against obstructing officers on duty

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

The Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service in-charge of Kaduna/ Katsina states, Mr. Olusemire Kayode has cautioned members of the public to desist from obstructing officers of the service while on their legitimate duties to arrest smugglers.
Olusemire who stated this yesterday in Katsina while briefing newsmen on the increasing incidences of members of the public obstructing his officers’ duties, said all the actions taken by the service was for the general good of the people.
He disclosed that most of the smuggled goods were harmful to the economy which he said retard growth and create unemployment in the land.
“Take the case of smuggling of rice and Spaghetti. In Nigeria we can produce rice that can feed the whole country without importing. On Spaghetti we have indigenous companies producing good brand, if we don’t patronize them then we are creating unemployment because the may eventually fold off” he added.
Olusemire similarly frowned at the new method of concealment of smuggle goods by smugglers which according to him most time involved the smuggling of hard drugs that are harmful to people’s physical and mental health.
He reminded the public that there were provisions of the law that stipulates two year jail term for any person or group of persons who attempt to obstruct the operations of officers of the service.
The area controller therefore appealed to journalists and traditional leaders to always sensitize the general public on the functions of the Nigeria Custom Service and the need to support them in their smooth operations.