Another impetus was added to the Anti-smuggling profile of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, following the appointment of DSC Jude Ohagwu as head of the Comptroller’s surveillance team for Seme Axis.
Prior to his appointment, a reliable source revealed that this young officer was the pillar behind the success of the now defunct Comptroller General of Customs (CGC)’s team that operated along Seme Axis and which was reputed for remarkable Seizures.
A reliable source revealed that the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ was determined to put square pegs in square holes which informed his decision to setup the special anti-smuggling Unit headed by a competent officer.
Records from our source revealed that between 7th October 2015, when he assumed leadership of the team, till date, DSC Jude Ohagwu embarked on aggressive patrol activities along the Creeks and unapproved routes and his operational exploits have led to the Seizure of over 2,502 bags of 50kg parboiled rice, 60 kegs of 25 liters vegetable oil, 105 pieces of fairly used tyres, 858 pairs of used shoes and other general goods valued at seventeen million, seven hundred and forty nine thousand, eight hundred naira (N17,749,800.00) only in one operation.
An investigation into the activities of the team further revealed that they have zero tolerance for corruption and other vices in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd).
This reporter tried to reach the Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO) Ikeja, Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) Uche Ejesieme who confirmed that the officer was a force to reckon with.
Ejesieme described the officer as an anti-smuggling czar and an iconic team leader whose operational escapades remain a reference point.
The PRO further described the officer as rugged, fearless, resilient and committed.
A chat with one of the smugglers (names withheld) revealed that the fear of the officer was the beginning of wisdom because he would always do everything possible to degrade the activities of smugglers.
Following the landmark achievement of this officer, the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Comptroller Amade Abdul, directed the resuscitation of the monthly award for outstanding performance, which was the vogue before now.
However, the successive regimes seemed not to give it the priority attention, until the superlative performance of the team leader.
The award is meant to encourage officers and men and spur them to greater performance in line with the mission and vision of the CGC.
The award was announced by the Controller during the monthly muster parade held in the Headquarters of the Unit at Ikeja last Tuesday which attracted over 2,000 officers and men of the Unit.
The Controller admonished officers and men to always reflect on the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs which bothers on integrity, honesty and transparency adding that the Service under the present leadership would excel in all aspects of its official functions in view of his character and leadership qualities which were clearly demonstrated during his recent one week familiarization tour of Zone ‘A’.
In one of his latest operations, the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Amade Abdul told the media that, “The Comptroller’s surveillance team Seme axis, headed by DSC Ohagwu, J.I and comprising other officers and men at about 0135hrs on Monday 20th October, 2015 while acting on a tip off, discovered a hidden warehouse along Adodo/Lusada road stocked with large quantity of suspected smuggled rice and 25 liters vegetable oil”.
The Controller stressed that what was remarkable about the seizure was the exemplary gallantry of the team in view of the hostile nature of the terrain.
He pointed that Adodo/Lusada axis was a very notorious area known for hostility and remain a nightmare to security operatives stating that it was in consideration of the foregoing that he commended the effort of the team.
The Controller promised to ensure that his officers/men key into the change mantra of the Federal Government of Nigeria by working more diligently in the pursuit of their official functions.
He called on other teams to form a formidable collaboration and synergy in all fronts for the actualization of their mandate.
He encouraged the team leader to ensure sustenance of this remarkable tempo.
The Controller however assured that the Unit was ever ready to identify and block all smuggling routes however volatile calling on Nigerians to oblige the team with useful information that could help in tracking and deflating the ego of smugglers in the Zone and in Nigeria in general.
Photo Caption: Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Amade Abdul congratulating Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Ohagwu Jude on his emergence as “Officer of the Month of October 2015” in recognition of his outstanding gallantry in recent ant-smuggling operations.
Send your news, press releases/articles to info@primetimereporters.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @reportersinfo and on Facebook at facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526.
