The Senate, on Tuesday, called on the Federal Government to lift the 20-kilometre ban on sales of petroleum products in border communities.
This was as the Red Chamber indicted the Comptrollers of Customs in Kaduna, Katsina and Ogun states for jettisoning rules of engagement.
The indictment of the comptrollers was sequel to the report submitted by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Abuse of Firearms by Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The panel’s report was presented by its chairman, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, (PDP, Osun East).
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The report established that traders and other persons were allegedly forced to obtain unofficial receipts before they were allowed to pass with legitimate goods.
It was also established that the disbanded Strike Force of the Federal Operation Unit shot at innocent citizens, raided markets and chased smugglers into towns which often lead to the loss of lives.
The Senate, therefore, asked the Comptroller General of the NCS to investigate the issuance of unofficial receipts at the nation’s borders by officials of the NCS.
The report was unanimously adopted by the Senate.
Part of the report read, “The Federal Government should direct the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service and heads of other security agencies to, as a matter of national inclusion, reduce the multiple checkpoints mounted along the corridors of border communities.
“This will allow for the free flow of goods, especially farm produce, in, around and out of these communities to the main towns and around the markets in the border communities.
“The Comptroller General of NCS should investigate and review the alleged issuance of unofficial receipts to traders and non-traders in Jibia and Mai’adua, in Katsina State by officials of Customs and other security agencies.
“This act has caused untold hardship to people living in these communities, as moving goods (farm produce) across major markets and even to Katsina town and other neighbouring states is a herculean task.
“The Comptroller General of the Customs should redeploy the Comptrollers of Kastina/Kaduna and Idiroko Area Commands and appoint replacements who should establish a good community engagement programme.
“This will create a healthy relationship, make the Customs realise its mandate without being insensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the communities in the state.”
The Senate further said, “The Federal Government should lift the 20-kilometre ban on sales of petroleum products in border communities.
“This policy is a threat to peaceful coexistence, a denial of the people to belong to the larger Nigeria society and a serious cause of hardship in these communities.
“The Federal Government in making policies, should put into consideration the ancestral bond/relationship that exists between the border communities in Nigeria.”
