Balogun, FOU Zone C Boss Hosts  Tinaper FTZ Stakeholders

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Controller, Nigeria Customs service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun recently played host to stakeholders from  Tinaper Free Trade Zone (FTZ) , who paid him a courtesy call at Unit’s headquarters in Owerri , on Wednesday the 26th of March 2025.

While commending the stakeholders for their efforts in generating revenue for the Service and Nigeria at large, he declared that smugglers will have no hiding place within the zone and under his watch.

Compt. Balogun 4th from left, in a group photograph with his visitors fro Tinapper FTZ last Wednesday

This is even as  he affirm his resolve to carry out his assigned mandate without fear or favour, namely, suppression of smuggling, blockade of revenue leakages, and revenue generation.

He described smuggling as an economic sabotage noting that for anyone to bring in prohibited goods into the country especially those that are produced locally are thereby sabotaging the national economy, even as he explains that such act runs counter to government’s policy of revitalizing local production and manufacturing, which serves as avenue for employment opportunities for the teeming youths of Nigeria.

Still speaking on his vision and plans, he charged importers and exporters to be conversant with items on the prohibition list as well as those allowed for importation into the country; including listed items that requires specific approvals from the National Security Adviser (NSA).

This, he stated will be one way of not falling on the wrong side of the import guidelines. Comptroller Balogun further expressed the view that with the security situation around the globe, there were concerted efforts to nip the smuggling of small arms and light weapons in the bud.

According to him, the NCS is not unaware of the incidence of illegal importation of drugs including tramadol, cannabis sativa etc which is injurious to the lives of the youths , noting that the Unit has designed intelligence-driven strategies to nab those who smuggle and patronize this ugly trade.

The FOU ‘C’ helmsman said that under his watch, the Unit will build on the agenda of the Comptroller General, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR , by sustaining the three major mandates of the service as regards plugging of revenue leakages , enforcement and trade facilitation.

He also used the opportunity to charge his officers and men to up the tempo of operations and be professional in the cause of duty, adding that there would be no room for any form of discipline.

Comptroller Balogun also stated that  the Unit’s operational strategies will be undergo regular strengthening and reworking in a bid to remain steps ahead of economic saboteurs and to effectively defeat acts of concealment, false declaration, under payment of duty and importation of illicit drugs.

“As we battle with smugglers, our eagle eyes will not let go of duty evasion too. In doing this, we are constantly encouraged by the manpower and logistics being provided by the Comptroller General’.

Balogun deposed that the unparalleled efforts that will be injected into the Unit’s operation henceforth, in terms of seizure profile, recoveries, and arrests would serve as a deterrent to overzealous smugglers and duty evaders.

He warned “this Unit will make life unbearable for unrepentant smugglers, any attempt to violate the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, which is an enabling legislation will be met with total resistance, so smugglers and duty evaders should take note.

He said the Unit’s 24-hour round -the -clock patrols has been rejigged for efficiency, and enjoined stakeholders to cooperate in protecting the nation’s economy by engaging in legitimate trade, only.