The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has cited the “Nigerian factor” as the cause of the numerous checkpoints staffed by security personnel along the route, particularly between Agbara, Badagry, and Seme.
The Customs Area Controller, Dera Nnadi mni, said that as the lead agency in Seme Border, his office has done everything necessary to encourage every agency of government operating within and around the border to reduce the threat, but with limited success.
He did concur, however, that the blockade has so far encouraged high-traffic minor smuggling of all kinds, which also served as the incentive that continued to draw security agencies and their staff.
He did, however, explain that his officers have limited themselves to the three authorized checkpoints, which include the ones at Gbaji Bridge and Agbara Bridge, and that any additional ones are entirely patrol-based and only respond to intelligence.
He went on to say that since taking over the area command, his predecessor, now ACG Mohammed Jibo, has been putting into place a strong system that is appropriate for decent and responsible policing in the corridor.
“We’ve done a lot,” he remarked. “It’s not even me doing it; ACG Bello Jibo, my predecessor, accomplished much more than what I’m doing right now. He laid down the foundation which I am building on.”
