OLADEJI OF FOU ‘A’ INTERCEPTS N2.2 BILLION GOODS, ARRESTS 20 SUSPECTS IN ONE MONTH
No less than 203 seizures worth N2,262,849,547 were made by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A in the last one month. At least 20 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seized goods.
Newly appointed controller of the unit, Kola Oladeji disclosed to newsmen today that some of the seizures include 22,850 liters of premium motor spirit, 10,372 by 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, 27 units of imported used vehicles, 2,152 cartons of foreign frozen products as well as 625kg of cannabis sativa.
The sum of Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Twelve Naira, Eighty One Kobo (N81, 813,612.81) was recovered through meticulous documentary checks on goods already exited with low duty payments, which would have escaped the coffers of the Federal Government Account
This is just the beginning of tougher days for smugglers who try to defy our laws by bringing prohibited items into the country or attempting to underpay duty to the government thereby undermining Nigeria Customs Service’s drive for maximum revenue collection. This Unit also arrested a self-acclaimed Customs officer; who until his arrest had defrauded some of his unsuspecting victims.
The suspect, Mr Benson Otu, claimed to be the officer in-charge of rice auctioning. His arrest was made after some of his victims reported his illegal claims and activities.
Let me restate that we shall be unrelenting in effecting seizures of wares from smugglers and arresting suspects for prosecution under the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. Showing these seizures is intended to discourage people from smuggling and similar crimes.
After my brief meeting with you on the day I assumed duty as Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, I am delighted to interact with you again today. Within the last month of my being here, I have done a rejig to raise our level of efficiency to tighten the noose against smugglers in the South West.
Our reinvigorated intelligence-backed patrols are better stationed with high morale monitoring movements at the borders and all highways under our areas of responsibility.
I have activated robust community relation efforts with local border communities including traditional rulers, faith-based leaders like clergymen, youth leaders and other members of the society. This is to remind them of the dangers of smuggling and urge them to join us in the campaign for a better Nigeria where citizens contribute to the fight against smuggling.
It is pertinent to reiterate that our consistent engagement with stakeholders and critical partners comprising of officers from other services is in line with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm fnipr psc (+)In line with the Comptroller-General’s mission of collaboration with critical stakeholders.
I want to commend the commitment of the Army, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security Services, members of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), traditional rulers and patriotic citizens for cooperating with the Service and supporting the Unit in the fight against smuggling.
As I said on the day I assumed office, we are here to support genuine businessmen and women by helping to facilitate their trades and contributing to their efforts which is adding value to our economy.
Law-abiding business people have no reason to fear or worry because of our presence on the highways. I shall be showing you the seizures we made within the period I took charge which are fallouts of our efforts at suppressing smuggling and protecting the Nigerian economy. My doors are open for interactions and sharing of intelligence on how to succeed on this task.
