- Comptroller Kola Oladeji declared the end of accidental discharges by Customs operatives, emphasizing adherence to rules and human rights
- Onipokia Oba Adeniyi Olaniyan highlighted hardships border communities face due to limited fuel availability and lack of electricity
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller for the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, has declared that the era of accidental discharge by Customs operatives is over. During a courtesy visit to the Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Adeniyi Olaniyan, Oladeji emphasized that officers have been instructed to adhere strictly to engagement rules and respect human rights.
Oladeji stated, “At the 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.”
He highlighted that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, respects the rights of all citizens and that the Service is conducting ongoing training sessions to ensure that its personnel act professionally and protect human rights.
Oladeji also paid separate visits to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Gbadebo, and the Olu of Owode, Oba Mathew Akindele, seeking royal blessings during his tour.
In his remarks, the Onipokia praised Oladeji for the visit but expressed concerns about the hardships faced by the border communities due to government policies. He pointed out that only four filling stations were operational in the border area because of the Federal Government’s 20km distance policy, which severely limits fuel availability.
“Four filling stations 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,” the Onipokia lamented.