The Customs Comptroller, Adamawa and Taraba Command, Salisu Kazuare Abdullahi, has said that heavily armed security men have been deployed around all the command’s facilities for maximum protection.
  
Abdullahi, who spoke yesterday, in Yola, on the recent attempt by some suspected hoodlums to attack its warehouse along Yola-Numan Road, said that anybody re-nursing such idea would be embarking on a journey of no return.
  
The comptroller maintained that he could not fold his hands and watch miscreants destroy the command’s property.

“I have directed my men to open fire on any one who poses danger to their lives. The gun is to protect them and government property,” he said.
  
He blamed the actions of the hoodlums on poor family training, maintaining that his command was battle ready to engage any lawless persons.
  
Abdullahi also stated that the command generated N82.082 million between May and July 2023.
  
He said that the core functions of the Nigeria Customs include collection of appropriate revenue, preventing smuggling activities and facilitating legitimate trades to boost local businesses in the country.
  
Abdullahi, who resumed duty at Yola in April 2023, noted that smuggling activities were halting the country’s industrial development, stressing that it is the constitutional duty of the Nigeria Customs to protect the business interest of Nigerians.
  
“The Customs is saddled with the responsibility of preventing smuggling of goods that contravene government policy of protecting local industries against harmful competition from foreign industries as well as strengthening the nation’s border security to prevent influx of goods that are harmful to our economy.
  
“I want to inform those engaging in smuggling activities that our officers and men have been positioned in every nook and cranny. If the smugglers don’t stop, we will not relent from pursuing and bringing them to book,” he stated.
  
The comptroller, who commended the new Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for providing a conducive working environment for officers and men of the Service, said that his command would do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure smuggling activities are suppressed to a minimal level in the area.

On seized vehicles, he stated that since the owners have refused to show up to claim them, the command would approach a court of competent jurisdiction for legal action as well as seek the Customs’ headquarters approval to auction them.