The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said the command through the effort of his officers intercepted prohibited goods worth N352,952,200 in the Lagos waterways within two months of resumption.
Briefing the news men at the Command, Ibafon- Apapa, Lagos on Tuesday , the Customs Area Controller(CAC) Comptroller Patrick Ntadi said that the recent operation was part of the Command’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the nation’s borders, protect the economy, and uphold the rule of law.
Comptroller Ntadi emphasized that security lapses can no longer be taken lightly, especially at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multiple security challenges.
He noted that over the past few weeks, the Command’s officers, known for their discipline and dedication, had conducted a series of targeted operations along maritime routes.
These operations had resulted to the interception of several illegal shipments and smuggled goods, which pose serious threats to the country’s economic stability and social well-being of this Nation
Among the seized items were 2,017 bags of foreign parboiled rice, valued at N212,995,200; seven sacks of 50kg sugar, valued at N672,000; seventy-two rolls of foreign plain textile material, with a DPV of N71,280,000; and 481 loaves of cannabis sativa, with a DPV of N50,505,000.
Nine boats comprising both fibre and wooden constructions were also confiscated and valued at N17,500,000.
The CAC stated that this marks a significant blow to criminal networks engaged in smuggling and illegal trade, and it demonstrates the Command’s commitment to ensuring that only lawful commerce thrives within the country.
He attributed the Command’s performance to the encouragement and backing from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi.
The Command’s success was also attributed to enhanced intelligence gathering, improved synergy with other security agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Marine Police, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, as well as the deployment of more patrol vessels across the coastlines and inland waterways
Comptroller Ntadi also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in our waterways.
The Cannabis Sativa was handed over to the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
On security, the comptroller said that the demolition of illegal structures around the Command, is to rid the area of hoodlums that have settled around the command, adding that the structures have defaced the entrance to the premises.
Speaking on staff welfare, the custom boss explained that the officers who patrol the waters around Badagry, Idiroko ,Yekeme, face challenges of poor accomodations and navigating through creeks created by smugglers .
He assured that the CGC is putting things in place to provide conducive working condition for the officers.
We have natural problems that our officers encounter on the waters. When the rain increases, the water sometimes goes up above the level, which means there’s no sleeping place for them.They have to move into the boat to pass the night which is very dangerous.
But then, luckily for us, we have a CGC who is seriously looking into the situation to see that the marine officers have a better working condition.
Ntadi expressed deep appreciation to Comptroller-General Adeniyi and his management team for their instrumental role in providing the necessary resources and equipment that empowered the Western Marine Command to succeed in its operations.
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