The new Controller of Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, has declared that the era of accidental discharge by men and officers of the service is gone.
Oladeji said this at the palace of Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Adeniyi Olaniyan, during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler on Thursday.
The comptroller, who also paid visits to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, and the Olu of Owode, Oba Mathew Akindele, said the officers and men have been warned to respect human rights and lives while operating with the standard rule of engagement.
Oladeji said the Federal Operation Unit, Ikeja, is like the enforcement command of the NCS in charge of the South-West, with three core mandates: anti-smuggling exercise, revenue collection, and trade facilitation.
He declared, “At FoU, we are not people that kill. The era of killing people anyhow is gone, and it has gone. We are to facilitate trade. We want people to engage in legitimate trading.
“The Comptroller-General, CG Adewale Adeniyi, has respect for the rights of every citizen. The service has ongoing training sessions for its personnel where they are trained to be more professional and protect human rights.”
In his remarks, the Onipokia lauded Oladeji for his visit but quickly lamented that the people are subjected to hardship by the policies of the government.
He lamented that only four filling stations are functional in the border towns due to the 20-km distance policy ordered by the Federal Government.
While noting that the development has made life unbearable for the people, he urged the new comptroller to facilitate the stoppage of the order.
He said, “Four filling stations are working, and one tanker of fuel is given in a week. Ipokia has the second-largest population after Ado-Odo/Ota in the state. There is no light in Ipokia. We only have petrol for four days every month.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Olu of Owode Yewa, Oba Mathew Akindele, also urged the government to address challenges faced by people in the border towns.
He said, “We are yet to enjoy border area opportunities. Nevertheless, with you on board, we believe that things will change.”
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