The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has solicited the cooperation of Illela border community, marketers and stakeholders to facilitate safe and efficient trade movements in Sokoto State.
Mr Kamal Muhammad, its Comptroller in charge of Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, called for the support while officially reopening Illela boarder on Thursday.
Muhammad charged security agencies and other officials at the border station to ensure maximum collaboration with each other.
He said the cooperation would pave way for trade facilitation, information and intelligence sharing for a safe, efficient and effective service delivery at the border.
He further enjoined them to adhere to stipulated regulations, adding that the border was reopened sequel to President Bola Tunubu’s directives after ECOWAS sanctions were lifted on Niger Republic.
The official appreciated the support of licensed agents, traditional rulers and community members, and urged them to support NCS with credible information to serve the nation better.
He further educated the communities on dangers of smuggling, noting that it would hurt the nation’s economic growth.
Muhammad revealed that the command had released 15 detained trucks containing food items for onward saless at Nigerian markets in compliance with the Presidential directives.
He urged traders to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that the grains were sold to Nigerians at the markets to lower the prices of food items in the country.