D/COMPT OGUNDEYI’S ANTI-SMUGGLING WAR YIELDS FRUITS; INTERCEPTS N478 MILLION PROHIBITED ITEMS IN FEW WEEKS
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Scores of illicit items valued at more than N478 million have been intercepted by the Kwara Area command in the last few weeks.
The Area Controller of the command, Deputy Compt NA Ogundeyi disclosed to newsmen today while showcasing the various seized items.
The prohibited items include 120 sacks of lithium ore, 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice, another nine vehicles loaded with foreign rice as well as 317 Jerrycans of Premium motor spirit (PMS).
He noted that other products which made the seizure list are several bags of imported sugar, 60 sacks of second-hand clothing, 222 units of used compressors, used tyres and tokunbo vehicles.
Ogundeyi said this seizure profile underscored the magnitude of the attempted economic sabotage and the level of vigilance exercised by officers of the command.
‘These interceptions underscore our unwavery commitment to intelligence-led enforcement operations’. He deposed that they are justified by the urgent need to curb economic sabotage, protect legitimate businesses, safeguard national revenue and ensure compliance with extant laws governing cross-border trade.
While appreciating the trust reposed in him by the Comptroller, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, and his management team, he expressed gratitude for their unwavering support, guidance and empowerment which enabled the command to deliver on its mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling activities and national security.
The Area Controller stated that with excise duty as the main source of revenue, the command generated N2,527,531,290.00 within the period under consideration, ‘reflecting our sustained commitment to supporting government’s fiscal objectives while ensuring compliance within the excise sector’.
He urged members of the public to embrace legitimate trade and desist from engine smuggling and other unlawful economic activities’
He said the fight against smuggling is not the responsibility of the Customs alone as it requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders, including border communities, traders and the general public.
Together we must safeguard our national economy, protect local industries and promote sustainable development for the benefit of our nation and future.
It is barely two months since their last press briefing, during which they highlighted the significant successes recorded through their robust anti-smuggling operations across the Command’s area of responsibility. On that occasion, he made it abundantly clear that smuggling activities would not be tolerated under my watch, and that Kwara Area Command would no longer serve as a safe haven for illegal trade. He also assured the public that the Command would remain resolute and uncompromising in enforcing this stance in line with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Regrettably, despite these warnings, some criminal elements have continued to engage in acts of economic sabotage. These individuals, driven by illicit profit, have tested the resolve of the Command through persistent attempts to smuggle prohibited and restricted items into the country. However, I wish to state unequivocally that such unlawful activities have consistently been met with firm, decisive, and intelligence-driven enforcement actions by our officers.
While the Command remains fully committed to enforcing anti-smuggling laws, they equally place strong emphasis on initiatives that promote legitimate trade, economic development, and national prosperity. One of such policies is the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of foreign parboiled rice, a strategic measure designed to encourage the consumption of locally produced rice, empower local farmers, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national food security. Unfortunately, it is observed with dismay that the scale and persistence of illegal importation of foreign rice continue to pose a significant threat to these national objectives and to the stability of the domestic agricultural sector.
“In keeping with our commitment to transparency and accountability, we have invited you here today to showcase another set of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Command in the course of their statutory duties. These seizures are a clear demonstration of our renewed operational strategy, which is anchored on intelligence gathering, coordinated patrols, and strategic deployment of personnel across identified smuggling corridors.”