By Kenneth Jukpor
As part of vigorous anti-smuggling exploits in January 2022, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos has made seizures worth N4,590,312,335 (duty paid value) and recovered N192,010,155.73 as revenue within 5 weeks
Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the Acting Controller, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu disclosed that 4 customs officers serving in the unit lost their lives in the course of anti-smuggling activities last year.
Ejibunu said a total of 23 suspected smugglers were arrested out of which 5 were given administrative bail while 18 in the unit’s custody
He said the unit’s anti smuggling and revenue recovery activities will increase this year due to the support and logistics upgrade it received from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Management and Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali.
DC Ejibunu who condemned the murderous acts of killing customs officers by smugglers and their sympathizers also said the long arms of the law will not spare perpetrators of such killings and that the unit will not be deterred in the performance of it’s duties to Nigeria .
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Ejibunu listed the following items; 9,697 bags of 50kg each, 3,173 cartons of basmati rice at 5kg each and 297 bags (25kg) Foreign Parboiled Rice, 1,076 kegs at 25litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 195 bales of used clothes, 51 parcels (39.5KG) Indian hemp, 68 sacks of used clothes, 2,535 pieces used tyres, 17 units of used vehicles, 206 used compressor, 7,557,400 tablets of 225mg Tramadol, 7 units used motorcycles, 21 bales of new bed sheet and 57 units used plasma TV.
His words: “While many travelled to enjoy the yuletide season, our operatives were out there in the field to prevent illicit items from being smuggled into the country. From 23rd December, 2021 till date, a lot more have been seized thereby setting the stage for today’s Press Briefing.”
“Despite the ups and downs, the Unit waxed on positively in the fight against smuggling as witnessed by you all. It is only regrettable that we lost 4 gallant officers in the line of duty that same year.”
“If there is anything the Unit will not condone, it is to lose any of our officers to smugglers this year. New approach and tactics strictly to our chest will be deployed this time around. Smugglers are by this warned to stay away from smuggling.”
“Our zeal to perform even better this year is predicated on the untiring support we get from the CGC – Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) – and his Management by way of welfare, capacity building, insurance scheme and provision of logistics.
“We are equally well equipped with relevant Sections of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 as amended to perform our legitimate duties without fear or favour.”
“Some of such provisions are; Section 158 which gives us power to patrol freely; Section 11 – power to arrest and prosecute anyone seen to obstruct officers from performing their duties; Section 46 – Power to seize; Section 147 – Power to enter any premises without search warrant and many more”
The Controller called on members of the public to always support the NCS with credible intelligence that would lead to arrest of smugglers and prevention of prohibited goods from entering the country.
The highpoint of the briefing was taking reporters to the government warehouse and other areas where the seizures were kept.
This information was disseminated via a press statement signed by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Theophilus Duniya.
