The area comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service in Kwara, Kehinde Ilesanmi, has pledged to partner the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in tackling corruption and the rising tide of smuggling in the area.

This is contained in a statement issued by Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC spokesman, in Ilorin on Thursday.

Mr Ilesanmi said this during a courtesy call on the Ilorin zonal commander of the EFCC, Michael Nzekwe. He highlighted some of the functions of the services to include revenue collection, facilitation of trade and suppression of smuggling.

He said upon resumption, the Kwara border was under lock owing to its porous environment, while Idiroko, Katsina and Kebbi borders had been reopened.

The comptroller added that upon assumption of duty, he took up the task of going after perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.

He disclosed that over N3.5 billion had been realised as revenue for the government by the command, while also making 23 seizures with the duty value of each seizure worth more than N30 million.

“This visit is basically to strengthen the existing ties between the NCS and EFCC in ensuring that both agencies deliver on their mandate,” the customs official explained. “I commend the efforts of the command, especially its bold step in checking the activities of illegal miners in the state as well as combating the rising tide of cybercrime among the youths.”

Responding, Mr Nzekwe appreciated the visit while hoping that stronger inter-agency collaboration and support between the two agencies would be entrenched.

“We are delighted to have a worthy partner like the NCS to cooperate with us in the fight against corruption. Together, we shall make Nigeria better,” he said.

(NAN)