The Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu
has revealed that works have already started towards the resuscitation of the abandoned multi-million Naira scanning machines at the Idiroko Border.
Speaking with journalists during the year 2025 commemoration of the International Customs’ Day held at Idiroko Border on Monday, 27 January, 2025, the controller explained that the resuscitation of the scanning site is part of the measures at meeting up with the core mandate of the Service.
He maintained that the Command has consistently contributed immensely towards fighting smuggling activities, revenue generation of the country, even amidst trade facilitation due to the strategic location of the border.
Compt. Shuaibu also noted that the command has over the years stood as a pillar of operational excellence as it oversees the very important border.
Earlier in his welcome address, Shuaibu noted that the Command has consistently stood as a pillar of operational excellence, contributing immensely towards fighting smuggling activities, revenue generation of the country, even amidst trade facilitation due to the strategic location of the border.
Shuaibu stated that celebration of the year 2025 edition of the International Customs Day would afford the Service to evolve innovative means through which Customs’ operations could be enhanced.
He emphasized on the need to deepen stakeholders’ collaborations and promised that the Service will leverage on modern technology to address all emerging challenges that would enable them uphold the ideals of efficiency towards discharging their duties to the country.
On measures being put in place to step up security at the Idiroko Border and also reduce physical examination of containers, Shuaibu noted that he had inspected the long abandoned Idiroko scanning machine to enable him ascertain the condition and other things that needed to be done on the equipment that was last used over five years ago.
“If you cast your mind back to year 2018 when all the borders in Nigeria were closed, both imports and exports were suspended and these scanner was there; nobody was using it, neither was anyone moving closer to it. Even the officers that were trained to use the machines, a lot of them have retired.
“So, when I resumed for duty here in Idiroko Border, I visited the site to see how we can resuscitate the machine towards making it come back to live again because the federal government has spent lots of money towards installing it. So, in a very short period of time, it will come back to live”.
The guest lecturer for the day, AC Clement Amaweh stated that NCS’ management must effectively leverage on technology to enable the Service meets up with its core mandate of combating smuggling, trade facilitation, as well as revenue generation towards safeguarding the country’s porous borders.
Amaweh however, disclosed that the e-Customs’ project, the Single Window Platform, as well as the cooperation and collaboration with critical stakeholders, among other recommendations would be what is needed by the Service to enable it perform efficiently in its quest towards achieving success.
“The e-Customs’ project aims to modernise the Nigeria Customs Service operations by fully digitising Customs process including administration, payment, Border management, import/export and transit processing “.
Amaweh maintained that following these processes would lead to increased revenue generation, reduced corruption and efficient trade environments without compromising the National security.
At the commemoration event, heads of other security agencies which included representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Police, Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, as well as that of the Customs Service from the neighbouring Republic of Benin among other stakeholders, were in attendance.