“The border is opened but there are restriction of goods that are not allowed to come in, for instance rice”
“We have been carrying out enlightenment even before I took over, the youth organization in this community do organize a yearly activity which customs sponsors”
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command announced the interception of over 4,684 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 901 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana. These seizures, which took place in October, were unveiled by the command’s Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, during a press briefing.
Shuaibu detailed that the intercepted foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to the cargo of eight trailer trucks, along with 121 other items, hold a Duty Payable Value (DPV) amounting to over N398.47 million.
He underscored the command’s relentless efforts in suppressing smuggling activities within its jurisdiction.
Highlighting the command’s revenue generation, Shuaibu stated a total revenue of over N30.4 million was accrued through baggage assessment and auction sales of seized petroleum products during the same period. This marked a substantial increase of over 400% compared to the revenue collected in October 2022, amounting to N5,487,076.00.
The Acting Area Controller attributed the success to an enabling working environment facilitated by the support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Comptroller Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team. Additionally, strategic deployments of officers, intelligence utilization, and collaborative efforts with sister agencies were acknowledged as crucial factors in the command’s achievements.
Among the seized items were 500 pieces of foreign-used pneumatic tyres, 23 vehicles utilized for transporting contraband, and 5 foreign-used vehicles. Shuaibu emphasized the command’s ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration with traditional institutions, sister security agencies, and critical stakeholders in the state.
Underlining the command’s open-door policy for legitimate trade information, Shuaibu issued a warning to smugglers, urging them to desist from illegal activities within the command’s jurisdiction or face the consequences.
He concluded by emphasizing the commitment to creating a safe environment and reiterated the command’s call for support from patriotic Nigerians in combating smuggling activities.
In his words: “our success story is attributed to the enabling working atmosphere created by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc+ and his management team. As a matter of fact, we recently took delivery of 8 Toyota Land Cruiser trucks, provided by the CGC to enhance our anti-smuggling operations.
“Other factors responsible for our achievements was the strategic deployment of our gallant Officers and Men, deployment of intelligence and collaborative efforts of the sister agencies, and other critical stakeholders.
“In a bid to improve on the existing synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders in Ogun State, upon resumption of office, we embarked on a familiarization tour of traditional Institutions and security agencies. We were warmly received in all the places visited and secured their reassurances of continuous support and good working relationship. We visited the palaces of Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, the Olota and Paramount Ruler of Aworiland and Oniko of Ikolaje Kingdom, Idiroko.
“We equally visited the State Commands/Unit of the Nigerian Police (NPF), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of Security Service, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy School of Music (NNSM) and 192 Battalion Rear of the Nigerian Army.”
Reiterating the commitment of the service in ensuring that the commonwealth and wellbeing of the nation is protected at all times, he urged citizens to feel free to provide the service with credible information that can lead to the success of its mandate as it appertain particularly to suppression of smuggling and other anti-economic activities.
“The economic well-being and security of our dear nation is a serious business that should not be compromised. We reassured the general public of our unwavering dedication to discharging our statutory responsibility with due diligence and utmost sense of patriotism.
“We operate an open-door policy to accommodate the support of patriotic Nigerians through sharing of useful information and other forms of information that may require our attention on legitimate trade or our activities generally. Let me use this opportunity to re-affirm our cooperation and partnership.”
