The Controller of Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Wale Adenuga, has declared open a two-day stakeholders’ summit aimed at finding lasting solutions to border-related crimes and improving legitimate trade along the Seme border corridor.
The strategic meeting, which commenced on Monday at the Seme Border, brought together representatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Army, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), traditional rulers, and trade associations, including freight forwarders and community leaders.
In his opening remarks, Comptroller Adenuga said the summit was designed to create a frank platform for dialogue among key players in border operations, with the goal of enhancing trade facilitation and security.
He emphasized the need for collective honesty and cooperation among stakeholders to address the challenges bedeviling the border axis.
“We want everyone to express their minds and tell ourselves the bitter truths. The more we facilitate legitimate trade, the better for our country. When trade thrives, crime reduces. That is the vision our Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has consistently championed – building a legacy of trade facilitation and a conducive environment for economic growth.”
He decried the persistence of unwholesome practices along the Seme route and called on security agencies and border communities to unite in tackling issues that tarnish Nigeria’s image and hinder regional commerce.
According to the Seme Customs boss, there is a more seamless process for the intervention of vehicles suspected to be conveying questionable items on the Benin Republic axis of the border corridor while the Nigerian side of the road is plagued with irregularities.
The two-day engagement will feature presentations from security agencies, discussions on inter-agency collaboration, and the adoption of a joint framework to promote safer, smarter, and more efficient cross-border trade.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Ambassador Olukayode Olugbenga Aluko; represented by the Defense Attache, Colonel S. Yahaya, assured that the takeaways from the summit will be fully implemented.
Speaking on the plight of residents, Hon. Joseph Agoro, argued that majority of the fight and quarrels on the border corridor is caused by camp boys recruited by security agencies along the border route.
“Multiple checkpoints is already problematic. It is more embarrassing to be stopped by Customs and other security agencies, especially the Police, and someone who isn’t an officer would begin questioning passengers. We don’t know who is attending to us. There is no way the residents and villagers wouldn’t complain with such unfair treatments from camp boys. Why should we be harassed just for living along the border corridor,” Hon. Agoro said.
