The Katsina /Kaduna Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has decried the attacks and intimidation of officers and men of the command in the course of carrying out its anti-smuggling responsibilities.
The Controller of the command, Comptroller Kayode Olusemire, made this known on Wednesday in an interview with reporters.
He said, “Only last week, seven officers were attacked by a mob of over 200 people; they were going after some smugglers who intentionally drove into a ditch to evade arrest.
“The smugglers abandoned the car and ran away only to mobilise people to come and attack us.”
According to Olusemire, it is pertinent for people to know that section 11 of the SEMA acts talks about obstruction of officers on duties where fines are spelt out, including a-two year jail term. He noted that the customs were empowered by law to carry out fiscal policies.
The customs boss described smugglers as economic saboteurs whose activities should be exposed by the public.
Olusemie added that command is committed to carrying out its constitutional duties to the letter.