Comptroller Aliyu Strengthens Ties with Traditional Rulers in Oyo State

...Seeks Monarchs’ Support Against Smuggling, Promotes Community Partnership

The Customs Area Controller, in charge of Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, has paid courtesy visits to three prominent monarchs in Oyo State, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye; and the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olushola Alao, in a bid to strengthen community relations and deepen collaboration.

In a statement signed by the command's Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Abdulmalik Akintola, the visits which took place on Tuesday, 8 October 2025, formed part of Comptroller Aliyu’s ongoing efforts to foster synergy between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and host communities in promoting trade facilitation, revenue generation and the fight against smuggling.

Speaking during the engagements, Comptroller Aliyu lauded the revered monarchs for their pivotal roles in maintaining peace, unity, and social cohesion across their domains. He emphasised that the partnership between Customs and traditional rulers is vital to achieving the Service’s core mandates.

He further appealed for the monarchs’ continued support in sensitising their subjects against smuggling and other economic crimes, stressing that illicit trade undermines national security and economic growth.

In their separate responses, the monarchs pledged their full support and cooperation to the Nigeria Customs Service, commending the Controller’s leadership style and proactive engagement approach aimed at strengthening ties between the Service and host communities.

The visits further underscored the commitment of the Oyo/Osun Area Command under the leadership of Comptroller Aliyu to promote mutual understanding, community partnership, and stakeholders engagement in the discharge of its statutory duties.

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