Daud Olatunji
The new Controller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, has declared that the era of accidental discharge by his men is over.
Oladeji made this statement on Thursday at the palace of the Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Adeniyi Olaniyan, during a courtesy call on the monarch.
The Comptroller, who also paid visits to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, and the Olu of Owode, Oba Mathew Akindele, said that the officers and men have been warned to respect the rules of engagement.
Oladeji stated that the Federal Operations Unit Ikeja is the enforcement command of NCS in charge of the Southwest.
He added that all laws related to customs are implemented, ensuring identification of any infractions.
According to him, there are three core mandates for the FoU: anti-smuggling excise, revenue collection, and trade facilitation.
He declared, “At FoU, we are not people that kill. The era of killing people anyhow is gone.”
“We are here to facilitate trade. We want people to engage in legitimate trading. We are to do our work with a human face,” he added.
The Comptroller General, CG Adewale Adeniyi, has respect for human rights and has emphasized the need to respect human rights. Offices must respect human rights.
At the palaces of Alake and Olu Owode, Oladeji said his visit was well received, and he received royal blessings.
The Onipokia, in his remarks, lauded Oladeji for his visit. However, he lamented the hardship the border people were being subjected to due to government policies.
He complained that only four filling stations were functional in the border area due to the 20km distance policy ordered by the Federal Government.
He said life has become unbearable for his people and urged the new Comptroller to facilitate the reversal of the order.
He said, “Four filling stations are working, and only 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,” he added.
The Olu of Owode Yewa, Oba Mathew Akindele, also commended the new FoU Comptroller for the visit.
He joined his colleague in Ipokia to charge the government on the plights of the border towns’ residents in the state.
“We are yet to enjoy border area opportunities, but nevertheless, with you on board, we believe that things will change,” he said.
“We have a lot of our children who are unemployed. Help us,” he added.
While pledging support, he said, “as long as you work within the ambit of the law, we don’t encourage smuggling. We know what is happening in the country.”
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