Ogun Customs Impound Ammunition, Recovers N557m, Generates N24.2m

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service yesterday displayed  ammunitions and assortments of licit and harmful substances termed life threatening, which together with seized other prohibited items, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N557,120,828.00.

According to the Command Public Relations Officer, Hammed Oloyede, above  was revealed by the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu while addressing state press corps at the Command’s headquarters at Idiroko on Friday 15th March, 2024.

Comptroller Shuaibu disclosed that on Thursday 14th March 2024, while on anti-smuggling operation along the border line, his operatives intercepted 940 rounds of live ammunition ingeniously concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri in local parlance; in the bid to smuggle them into the country.

The Ogun 1 customs boss explained that whereas the command has been on its trail for more than 2 weeks, from the Republic of Benin, his eagled eye officers were able to eventually catch up with smuggled on March 14, 2024.

He stated that during the trail of the cartel, he received intelligence which revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beef-up by the unscrupulous elements, to evade detection and arrest.

Succumbing to the superior security network of the command, the smugglers Shuaibu explained abandoned the items and escaped on realizing they have ran into the dragnet of the customs.

Speaking further, Shuaibu said other illicit goods intercepted includes cannabis sativa otherwise known as Indian Hemp, in addition to other customs trade goods but which contravened the import rules and customs extant laws.

“The Command also recorded the seizures of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Indian Hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others. These items were intercepted at the creeks, border lines and other strategic locations across Ogun State, through our intelligence network and 24 hours patrol/anti-smuggling activities by our operatives. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to N557,120,828.00″

The Ogun 1 chief customs operative said one of his strategy is to  the pursuit of professional excellence in ensuring that its anti-smuggling operations are both clinical and with the barest minimal physical confrontation, unless where this is otherwise unavoidable; since the service will allow the lives of its operatives to be threatened.

“We are pleased to state that, in recent times, we carry out our operations with zero casualty and that is a great achievement in view of the circumstances. We value lives of our people and we try our best to safeguard it. I will like to state emphatically, that our operatives bear arms to protect their lives where and when necessary, any threat to their lives will not be treated with levity.

“Let me sound a note of warning to recalcitrant smugglers that their days are numbered. They will never go unpunished with their nefarious activities. We shall keep uncovering their antics and very soon, they will be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Shuaibu appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians, to join forces with the Command in its fight against smuggling of harmful substance, light weapon, arms and ammunition. He stressed that the items poses great threats to our national security and have the potential of destroying lives and properties within the shortest time possible.

He thanked the CGC, Bashir Adeniyi and his management team for their unwavering support which according to him plays a significant role in enhancing the Command’s operations and contributing immensely to its achievements.

While also commending the efforts of his gallant operatives who are making the seizures, he recognized the efforts of our Customs Intelligence Unit and Customs Police Unit in enhancing the Command’s operations.

He also thanked all sister agencies operating at the command for their cooperation and synergy, plus other critical stakeholders including traditional rulers, community leaders and clearing agents.