Oramalugo Revives Security Meetings At Seme Border, Sets to Use Military Apparatus Against Smugglers

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is intensifying its fight against smuggling by reviving crucial security meetings and forging a strategic partnership with the military.

Customs Area Controller, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, announced the revitalization of the heads of security agencies meeting at the Seme-Krake borders, a forum that had been dormant for approximately a year.

During a press conference on Thursday, Dr. Oramalugo emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating smuggling and ensuring border security.

According to him, going forward, all illegal checkpoints which has been a bane of operations along the border corridor would now be dismantled.

“Recognizing the importance of collaboration in achieving our objectives, I have engaged with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers and security agencies”

“Just two days ago, I instituted a meeting of all heads of security agencies in Seme. I was told that that meeting had stopped about a year ago. And I felt there is a need to have that meeting.”

“The revived meeting aims to minimize inter-agency rivalry and foster a unified approach to border security.

“We put heads together. In the next few days, you will see the implementation of those issues that we discussed,”

“At least we are beginning to know ourselves. We are beginning to know a lot of things that are wrong. For example, the duplication of checkpoints all over the place. We are working on it to reduce it.” Dr. Oramalugo explained

Dr. Oramalugo also highlighted the improved atmosphere at the border post, attributing it to enhanced synergy among security agencies. “If you enter this compound, you begin to see the serenity of the place. It is no longer like a museum. It is no longer like a war battle, or a battlefield. So that is the result of synergy among the security agencies which I have introduced,” he said.

A significant development is the partnership with the Nigerian military, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, to combat heavily armed smugglers.

“As you all know, the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, we have agreed to work in synergy. You know they have more firepower than the customs,”

“These smugglers we are fighting are deadly, so anytime we have a difficult situation, we would call upon the military. We have identified those areas we need to strike, and in the next few days, you would begin to see bombardment.”

He issued a stern warning to smugglers and their collaborators, emphasizing that their illegal activities would not be tolerated.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn smugglers and their collaborators that their illegal activities would not be tolerated. Smuggling is an act of economic sabotage, and we shall track down and prosecute offenders,” he asserted.

Dr. Oramalugo also addressed the perception of customs officers as “wicked,” emphasizing their role as economic managers and the importance of public understanding of their mission.

“Therefore, customs officers should begin to tell their own story so that the public will understand us better,” he said.

He further warned that any customs officer caught aiding and abetting smugglers would face severe punishment, underscoring the command’s commitment to integrity and accountability. “Any customs officer caught in the act of aiding and abetting smugglers shall be summarily punished.” he warned.