In order to secure the buy in of stakeholders in the attainment of set goals and objectives, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga has kicked off series of critical engagements.
Adenuga who is barely few weeks old in office said the engagements with critical stakeholders which started on October 6, 2025 is to enhance national security and facilitate legitimate trade along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.
These were contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Seme Area Command, Mr. Isah Sulaiman and made available to Maritime Bits.
Sulaiman quoted Adenuga saying that the meeting which is aimed at making the Seme transit corridor effective and secure was sequel to the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He added it was also meant to promote co-operation among security agencies while respecting the rights and dignity of border community dwellers.
According to Adenuga, we want everyone to express their minds and tell ourselves the bitter truths. The more we facilitate legitimate trade, the better for our country. When trade thrives, crime reduces. That is the vision our Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has consistently championed, building a legacy of trade facilitation and a conducive environment for economic growth.
Adenuga who reminded stakeholders including sister security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, trade groups and youths that Seme Border plays a pivotal role in regional trade in West Africa, said trade can only flourish in an atmosphere of security and orderliness.
He reiterated the CGC’s commitment to the promotion of seamless movement of persons and goods across Seme and expressed the negative impact of multiple checkpoints by various agencies.
Describing too many checkpoints from Seme to Badagry as impediments to trade and a major cause of delay for legitimate travelers, the CAC enjoined all agencies present to comply with the laws of the land as well as the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) guiding their operations.
According to the statement, those who participated in the stakeholders engagements include the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro Olalekan James; Onibereko of Ibereko, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya; and the Defence Attaché to Nigeria Embassy in Port Novo, Republic of Benin who represented the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Col. S.B.Yahaya.
Others are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF); intelligence agencies, military and paramilitary heads; members of the border communities as well as and traders.
Participants at the meeting all agreed to work together to attain set goals and objectives of the command.
Among other things, the participants resolved to reduce checkpoints along the roads leading in and out of the Seme border as a way to facilitate trade, encourage investment and promote the tourism potentials in the area.
They also agreed to always place national interest, unity while showing respect for the rights and dignity of all travelers and traders operating in Seme.
The meeting also resolved to dismiss unauthorized persons also called camp boys at some checkpoints as they were accused of causing obstruction and harassment of travelers along the corridor.
The CAC promised to draw the plight of Seme inhabitants to the Customs High Command.
These include the completion of the ongoing Customs Secondary School project and getting the area reconnected to electricity after it went into blackout for seven years following the activities of vandals who destroyed their power infrastructure.
The heads of all the security agencies, the traditional rulers and other stakeholders present agreed to sustain the tempo of the meeting.
