The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reports that efforts are being made to stop smuggling by deploying drones and other cutting-edge facilities to the Nation’s borders communities.
Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the Custom’s National Public Relations Officer, claimed that technology “will help handle the scourge.”
He claimed that using “technology like drones, non-intrusive inspection at the borders, and a lot of other things that are in the pipeline” was one of the key initiatives in that area.
In relation to the concession deal or modernization agreement with the Huawei firm and other technical partners, according to Bomodi, progress has been accomplished.
He claims that the development will improve how possible threats are identified and dealt with.
The Customs National Spokesperson claimed that the boundaries were too vast to be adequately covered by manpower in response to calls in some quarters for the deployment of more personnel at the borders.
“If all members of the military and paramilitary in Nigeria were to walk hand in hand across all of our borders, you would only be able to reach 10% of them.
“That illustrates how big this nation is and how difficult the terrain is where we work.
“We are aware, though, that you can accomplish a lot more when you incorporate technology into the mix”
He asserts that although there is no question that the Service intends to keep hiring new employees, none of them will have the desired impact.
“We know that the kind of influence that will go a very long way will be made by the technology that will be deployed to serve these persons.”
Bomodi spoke about the need for increased funds for the agency to develop its initiatives for reducing crime and generating more income in order to carry out its duty.
“We are discussing innovation in the type of service that we offer, and it was very expensive.
We’re talking about the welfare of the Officers, which includes giving them access to suitable housing, transportation, and offices, among many other things.
“Even vehicles that assist them in operating in a variety of environments and terrains.
Because the more we can get, the more we would be able to accomplish, he continued, “All these things cost money and we cannot say no to that.”
Nigeria, which has a landmass of more than 900,000 square kilometers, has borders with 15 different Nations, according to reports from Hybrid News.
The Republic of Chad, Cameroon, the Republic of Benin, and the Republic of Niger are a few of the nations.
The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning has oversight authority for the NCS, an independent entity.
It is tasked with collecting customs taxes, facilitating both domestic and foreign trade, and stopping illegal acts like smuggling.