Outstanding Customs Bosses, Makinde, Adamu Bag Excellence Award
By THECONSCIENCEng
Comptroller Bamidele Makinde, Customs Area Controller Ogun 1 Command, has been honoured with the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN’s Star Award for exemplary dedication and leadership excellence.
He was among other deserving officers recognised by the association for gallantry and outstanding performances in Zone A Command.
In a reaction, the awardee said more intelligence was being applied now more than ever before in the anti- smuggling operations of the Nigeria customs to combat its recent challenges.
Makinde emphasised the need for peaceful society stressing it as the only means to national development.
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He said, “Every security apparatchic has a role to play in sustaining national security, and the customs, being a major stake holder especially in curtailing the influx of arms smuggling will not fail to maintain the tempo.”
According to him, citizens must do everything possible to coexist as suspicion and internal strife were the forerunners of any country’s disintegration.
Comptroller Makinde said his Area Command will key into the mandate given by the Customs Management Team which centred on the extant laws of the Service in promoting security of lives by preventing importation of uncustomed or prohibited items nipping in the bud evasion of duties, facilitation of lawful trade as well as protection of the economy.
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He spoke of the Area’s desire to make striking or spectacular seizures in his area of jurisdiction.
Reminded that since he mounted the rostrum, seized goods have been a constant feature and that his officers were harvesting seizures that can make headlines, he agreed but stated that views differ, in this instance as few may not see such intercepted goods as notable yet.
“We are looking forward to magnificent seizures to enable us converge here for a briefing before the second quarters runs out.” he said.
He was again taken on the fact that when striking seizures are not made, it goes to show that the officers are working hard; for smugglers to have gone underground, he also reluctantly agreed but noted that it was also better if striking seizures are made to show that we are on top of the situation’
The Controller who hailed operatives of the command for their resilient effort in tackling smugglers, said, “While waging war against die-hard smugglers, we urged them to embrace legitimate trade and steer clear of smuggling and other nefarious activities that are inimical to the economic development of our dear nation. We encouraged compliant traders by operating an open door policy and creating an enabling environment for trade to thrive.
“As part of our Stakeholders’ engagement, we maintained a robust synergy with our sister security agencies and cordial community relations with our host communities.
Noting that the pen is mightier than sword, Makinde went on to state that all security agencies as well as state actors must synergies to be able to surmount the present insurgency in the country.
In the same vein, the Superintendent of Customs Adamu Idris, Coordinator Roving B Team of Ogun 1 Area Command was honoured for his hardwork and dedication to anti-smuggling duty.
Adamu Idris has been actively involved in various roles within the Ogun 1 Area of the Nigeria Customs Service. Notably, he has served as the Patrol Leader of the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Special Taskforce Team A and also as the Coordinator of Roving A Team. Presently, he holds the position of Coordinator of Roving B Team within the Command.
Over the years, he has distinguished himself as the overall best-performing patrol leader in Ogun 1 Area Command. The sterling performances of his team under his quality leadership have continued to earn him accolades and several awards of excellence from the office of the CAC.
During the monthly officers parade held at the Customs House, Idiroko on 11th July, 2023, the CAC, Comptroller Bamidele also presented an award of excellence to Roving B team of the Command led by SC Adamu Idris, in recognition of the spectacular seizures made in the month of June, 2023. These seizures include:
3,610 pieces of used tyres; 194 cartons of codeine syrup; 532 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each and a dangote truck used for conveyance; 140 bales of used clothing; and 1,520 pairs of used shoes.
The team alongside other patrol teams such as the Roving A team led by SC SI Eze and the CAC Special Taskforce Team A led by ASC 1 AS Gimba, also received letters of commendation from the CAC for their outstanding performances and immense contribution to the anti-smuggling achievements of the Command in the first half of the year (2023).
Comptroller Bamidele Makinde who hails from Abeokuta, Ogun State was born on April 6, 1966, in Ibadan, and has a distinguished record of service in customs.
