By Omoabale Cole
Badagry (Lagos), Nov. 6, ’25 (TNZ) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, is intensifying efforts to curb smuggling activities in the Badagry area of Lagos State, urging communities in the area to support its fight against smugglers.
TheNewsZenith reports that the Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, gave the assurance during a visit to the Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, on Tuesday, in Badagry.
Ntadi said the fight to rid the area of economic saboteurs was not for the service alone. The fight is also for all stakeholders, including the various communities.
He noted that smugglers use coastal communities and border areas to bring in illicit substances into the country.
“NCS men are on high alert to ensure illegal activities do not thrive in Badagry.
“Smuggling of illicit substances has contributed greatly to the menace of drug abuse in Badagry and beyond,” TheNewsZenith quotes Ntadi as saying.
He said the command has designed some initiatives and is implementing some interventions to curb the twin problem of smuggling and drug abuse in Badagry.
“We need the cooperation of our community leaders to fight smuggling.
“Drug abuse is not only destroying our youth, but it is also hurting our economy and social structure.
“The NCS has created a ‘Care Desk’ through which community concerns and welfare requests can be forwarded for appropriate action.
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“Our goal is to ensure that we have a productive society and suppress economic saboteurs.
“We will use constant sensitisation and other initiatives to take our youths off the streets and channel their energy into meaningful ventures,” the Comptroller said.
Ntadi said NCS enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Badagry community and was committed to strengthening that bond.
Responding, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, the Onipetoji of Badagry Kingdom, who spoke for the traditional ruler, commended the commander for his honesty, consistency, and devotion to duty.
He praised the customs boss for frequently engaging communities in awareness campaigns against smuggling and drug use in the past.
Ogunbiyi, however, expressed concern over the growing unemployment crisis.
He said that many young people in Badagry have turned to smuggling and drug peddling as survival strategies.
“The youths are not lazy; lack of opportunities is simply frustrating them.
“We appeal to customs and other agencies to extend employment opportunities to our youths to give them hope,” TheNewsZenith quotes Ogunbiyi as saying. (TNZ)
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