COMPT OTUNLA INTERCEPTS N44.9 BILLION HARD DRUGS IN 7 MONTHS; SALUTES CG ADENIYI FOR HIS SPECTACULAR STEWARDSHIP
By Timothy Paul Okorocha
Murtala Muhammed Airport Command (MMAC) which used to be a haven for the smuggling of hard drugs has now been sanitized in the last seven months.
This followed a water-tight security network put in place by the Customs Area Controller, Compt GA Otunla, who disclosed today that more than N44,911,876,094.13 worth of hard drugs have been intercepted under his stewardship. The drugs in focus are mainly tramadol and assorted cannabis.
‘When I came, there was a little loggerhead with the regulatory agency, but good reason prevailed.
We have been intercepting lots of such dangerous drugs, as we arrest them,?we hand over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and we have stemmed the tide’
He also revealed that he has plugged a lot of revenue leakages, as several imports that would have come in with unutilized airway bill. In view of the fact that some imports do not look too bulky, importers try a lot to cut corners by wrapping together some of the imports.
But through the eagle eyes of the officers, their nefarious activities are often thwarted. Nothing that no one can completely eradicate smuggling, Compt Otunla stressed that the command was doing all it can to reduce it to the bearest minimum.
‘In view of the several techniques employed for smuggling, we also introduced several layers of checks’ He however, noted that by the time the entire system is automated, the reduction in smuggling will be more visible.
He described smugglers as ‘recalcitrant’
‘They connive with terminal operators to carry goods with out declarations, ‘ but we are several steps above them in their plots’
On revenue generation, the customs boss excitedly said things are looking up in this regard.
According to him, the command made more than N16 billion last month, while it also made its highest daily revenue of N3.5 billion this week as against N1.6 billion normal daily revenue, representing 307 percent increase.
Asked to compare which of the commands-Idiroko or MMAC that is easier to administer, he said; Honestly, I don’t envy Afeni -the Idiroko command helmsman .
He drew instances on how you can be fast asleep in the night and a call will wake you up that 6000 motor cycles are crossing the border. ‘You have to get cracking immediately to arrest the situation’
Though, he said the airport as well the Idiroko are border stations in practice, the difference is however clear in the bulk nature of imports.
On what he would love to be remembered for; Compt Otunla stated inter -alia;
‘I like to be remembered that I am one officer that has been so considerate, I don’t joke with anyone’s idea. I am disciplined and I equally love disciplined officers I don’t run after anyone who is dutifully committed to his responsibility’
He described the command as numero uno in trade facilitation. ‘It is a peculiar command because most of the spare parts for industries come through here and we render urgent services.
He eulogized the Comptroller General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, PhD, MFR, for his great stewardship to the nation.