…As Imo Governor, Police IG, others bag Crime Reporters’ Awards
The Unit Controller of the Federal Operations (FOU) Zone C’ in Owerri, Comptroller Ali Ibrahim has vowed that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under his zone will intensify its war against smuggling and not compromise on its constitutional mandate as regards national security.
Comptroller Ali Ibrahim, who received Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) Star Award For Anti-Smuggling, was among respected and deserving Nigerians recognized by the association for his gallantry, revenue generation in Zone C Command.
Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM), Daniel Olukoya, among other eminent personalities also bagged awards for preserving national security.
These individuals were honoured at the 31st Edition of the Annual Lecture/Awards of the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN), which was held in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Other awardees were: Dr Babatope Agbeyo Chairman, Cornfield Group of Company, AIG Zone2, Bode Adeleke, CP Abiodun Alabi Lagos Police Commissioner, DSP Edafe Bright Delta PPRO, Immediate Past President CRAN Odita Sunday, Commandant Ewaka Okoro Lagos NSCDC, SP Benjamin Hundeyin Lagos PPRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi FPRO, South West Zonal Coordinator, Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Sani Yusuf, Former General Manager LASEMA, Adesina Tiamiyu, CSP Joseph Egwuowu, LASTMA Officer, Akinwunmiju Michael, CSP Tolani Lamina DPO, CSP Onyinye Onwuaegbu DPO, among others.
Ali said that inspite of insecurity problems in the Eastern region, Customs under his Zone will not relent in its effort to put a stop to smuggling of dangerous products into the country, stressing that more intelligence is being applied now more than ever before in the anti- smuggling operations of the Customs in view of what looked like an unusual situation around the nation.
Noting that the South East used to be one of the peaceful zones in the country, the Controller stated that the ugly situation now is a temporary set back which will fizzle out with time, as every nation has its own difficult phase in history; however, he stressed that there is no alternative to peaceful coexistence as that is the only way to engender a virile development of any country.
The Unit Controller enlisted the support and synergy between the media and the service in promoting national security, stressing that positive media will build the nation while negative press ends up destroying it.
Noting that the pen is mightier than sword, Ibrahim went on to state that all security agencies as well as state actors must synergize to be able to surmount the present insurgency in the country.
