Ogun 1 Customs Hits Hard On Smugglers, Seizes Live Cartridges Conceal In Garri Sack, ..Collects N24.2million As Revenue

By Chinonye Anyatonwu

To curb smuggling and its nefarious activities to barest minimum, the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)has once again hit it hard on smugglers as the Command made an unprecedented seizure of life threatening ammunitions, harmful substances and other prohibited items. This feat was acknowledged by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu while addressing some journalists at the Command’s headquarters, Idiroko on Friday 15 March 2024. Shuaibu stated that, on Thursday 14 March 2024, while on anti-smuggling operation along the border line, the Command operatives intercepted smuggled 940 rounds of live ammunition ingeniously concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri in local parlance.

According to Comptroller Shuaibu the Anti-Smuggling Czar with his milestone achievement recorded unquantifiable seizures, explained the circumstances that surrounded the operation by stating that the Command had been on its trail for more than 2 weeks, from the Republic of Benin, before it was eventually smuggled into the country. He stated that during the trail of the cartel, the received intel revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beef-up by the unscrupulous elements, to safeguard the items and evade arrest. He added that the superior security network of the Command eventually aided the seizure but lost the suspects, as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest.

Shuaibu added that the command also recorded the seizures of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as Indian Hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others. According to him, these items were intercepted at the creeks, border lines and other strategic locations across Ogun State, through our intelligence network and 24 hours patrol/anti-smuggling activities by our operatives. Giving the breakdown analysis, he noted that the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure recorded amounted to N557,120,828.00.

His words, “We are pleased to state that, in recent times, we carry out our operations with zero casualty and that is a great achievement in view of the circumstances’, he said. We value lives of our people and we try our best to safeguard it. I will like to state emphatically, that our operatives bear arms to protect their lives where and when necessary, any threat to their lives will not be treated with levity. Let me sound a note of warning to recalcitrant smugglers that their days are numbered. They will never go unpunished with their nefarious activities. We shall keep uncovering their antics and very soon, they will be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law”. The CAC appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians, to join forces with the Command in its fight against smuggling of harmful substance, light weapon, arms and ammunition.

He stressed that the items poses great threats to our national security and have the potential of destroying lives and properties within the shortest time. He emphasized that the Command is open to receiving intel and assure prospective partners of maximum security, as he sought for joining of hands together to make our society a safe and peaceful place to live. On the revenue drive of the Command, the CAC reported that from January till date, the Command generated the total sum of N24,283,788 as revenue.

Comptroller Shuaibu appreciated the continuous support of the CGC, Bashir Adeniyi MFR and his management team. He commended the efforts of his gallant operatives who are making the seizures, as well as the concerted efforts of our Customs Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit in enhancing the Command’s operations. He however, recognized and appreciated the collaborative efforts of the various sister agencies and other critical stakeholders also the press in reporting the commands activities.