BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service ,NCS, has advanced the implementation of B’Odogwu digital modernisation platform, highlighting the strategic role of communication in advancing institutional reforms, trade facilitation, revenue generation and stakeholder engagement.
National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada hinted this on Friday while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria ,ACSPN, in Abuja
Maiwada informed that communication is indispensable to the effective implementation of the Service’s mandate, adding that technological and institutional reforms could only achieve their intended objectives when properly communicated to stakeholders.
He stated that the NCS had continued to deploy technology and innovative approaches to improve its operations, citing B’Odogwu as a major component of the Service’s digital transformation agenda and an innovative trade model attracting attention beyond Nigeria.
The Customs spokesman highlighted the Service’s 'Town and Gown' initiative, designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice in communication.
He emphasised that the initiative had commenced at Bayero University, Kano, and in Port Harcourt, with plans to deepen the integration of academia into Customs engagements in 2027.
Maiwada pointed out that stronger collaboration with communication scholars and professionals would enable the Service to benefit from contemporary research, professional expertise and emerging communication technologies, while providing academic institutions with practical insights into Customs operations and institutional communication.
The ACSPN President, Prof Rotimi Olatunji harped on the importance of informed citizens, credible media and transparent institutions to the sustenance of constitutional democracy.
Also, the NCS vowed to dismantle and prosecute smugglers frustrating legitimate trade across Adamawa and Taraba States, warning the economic saboteurs to shun illicit ventures or face total asset forfeiture.
Customs Area Controller ,CAC, for the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Tako revealed this while briefing journalists at the Customs House in Yola, where he announced the interception of smuggled goods valued at over ₦362 million.
Intelligence-led operations over the past six weeks yielded major interceptions across key transit routes, culminating in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of goods with a total Duty Paid Value ,DPV, of ₦362,204,543.91.
The seized items comprise 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit ,PMS, 9kg of Cannabis Sativa, heavy machinery including a DAF Lowbed Trailer conveying a Sanny Motor Grader bound for illegal export to Chad, and three operational vehicles.
Operatives also intercepted protected wildlife items along the Yola-Numan road, including 220kg of Pangolin scales, 74kg of Ivory tusks, 64 raw donkey skins, scheduled for immediate destruction alongside partner agencies, as well as 534.55kg of dried donkey meat, with all five suspects currently undergoing investigation ahead of prosecution.
Comptroller Tako warned that smuggling petroleum products, dangerous drugs, and endangered wildlife directly compromises national security, threatens public health, and weakens economic stability across border communities.
The Service remains dedicated to facilitating smooth, lawful commerce for genuine business operators, while dismantling criminal networks attempting to sabotage the national economy.
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