‘Those We Fight Often Fight Back Through Blackmail’- Bomodi

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi has said smugglers and illegal traffickers which the customs service and its officers and men relentlessly wage war against don’t go away smiling, but often fight back, occasionally through blackmail.

The former customs national public relations officer who was fielding questions from journalists in his office yesterday, March 5, 2024 during a press briefing to showcase the command’s recent anti-smuggling scorecard however noted the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is not surprised at such backlashes nor will such negative tendencies deter officers and men from carrying out its statutory assignment.

He explained that our society regards customs men not only as tax collectors and hence exhibits unwarranted animosity that often degenerates into negative tendencies, but also paves the way for blackmail and open attacks as is often witnessed.

“But we are not deterred on that account; we will not abdicate our responsibility on account of those deploying extraneous, evil means including blackmail to undermine the system.

“We will also not negotiate with smugglers and we will continue to strengthen our operations and to improve on identified weaknesses but we will not negotiate with the criminal underworld, the NCS is focused and ready for them”, he declared.

This is even as he disclosed that the command intercepted 400 bags of beans estimated at N61.45million that was being illegally exported out of the country reroute Benin Republic.

According to the Seme Customs boss, the Customs Service Act 2023 prohibits export of grains out of the country without the due process.

“We need to ensure that what is being produced locally stayed within the country before we export and new Customs act says grains can’t be moved out of the country and when it’s done there is a procedure. This includes NXP, CCI among others and when that is not done, any attempt to do it illegally will face the wrath of the law.”

He notes that the NCS will continue to partner with the federal government in tackling the ongoing hardship, he informed that the intercepted beans would be auctioned to the public as soon as the headquarters gives the command the necessary approval.

Speaking further on the command’s anti-smuggling activities, Bomodi disclosed that  a total of 168 interceptions were made between January and February 2024 interventions which resulted in the seizure of 2,193 x 50kg bags of  (equivalent of 3 trailer load) foreign parboiled rice; 81,930 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise locally  known as petrol (3 tankers equivalent).

Others are 9 vehicles; 1,425 general merchandise; 265 parcels of cannabis sativa and other narcotics; including 149 packages of codeine and 2 locally manufactured guns; giving a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦365,888 million.

He further disclosed that while a total of 13 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, six of them were granted administrative bail, three were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further agency action, one handed over to the Nigerian Police, while three suspects are still in the command’s custody.

Bomodi said all security agencies operating at the Seme Border in working closely together to maintain law and order, and in line with the existing standard operating procedure (SOP).

“At this point, it is important to highlight the importance of the Joint Security Meetings held regularly here at the Joint Border Post. These meetings provide valuable intelligence and opportunities to cross-fertilize ideas about Border management. We note that collaboration holds the key to success in border management that’s why we’ve insisted on information sharing among sister agencies.”

In the same vein, he said the continuous surveillance of the border by the officers and men of the command has resulted in the interceptions of 400x30liters of PMS equivalent of 12,000 liters with a DPV of ₦8,347,680 in the early hours of Saturday, March 2, 2024 along the creeks.

He said the PMS seized will be auctioned in line with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of sales of seized perishable items as directed by the Service.

“These seizures come on the heels of successes in anti-smuggling activities recorded in 2023, which saw 513 seizures of foreign parboiled rice, premium motor spirit, vehicles, General merchandise, drugs/narcotics, and vegetable oil. Others were $6,000 of fake currency, 15 fake international passports, 10 International Driver’s licenses, and 152 live birds and other endangered species. All with a Duty Paid Value of over N1.212 billion,” he explained.

Asked how many vehicles have been taken out of the command in line with the ongoing auction of seized items, he put the number at 400.

He also said the leadership and management of the NCS is upbeat at continually improving officers welfare to insulate them from exposure and undue attacks in living in smugglers enclave at the border with the provision of offical quarters in new barracks at Seme, which he said is at 85% completion.