…Seizes goods worth over N11million in 2 days
As part of measures to reposition the unit for better service delivery, the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja-Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Dahiru Umar, last Tuesday held his inaugural parade where he reeled out various measures he intends to take.
In his address at the occasion, he admonished officers of the Unit to remain proactive and diligent in the discharge of their functions.
However, he decried the attitude of few officers which he stated runs contrary to the rules of engagement and warned that he would not tolerate indolence or any form of deliberate infraction that would negate the change agenda of the Federal Government.
He reiterated his resolve to deal decisively with any officer who decided to be a clog in the wheel of the progress of the Unit; and promised to run an all inclusive administration that was devoid of any form of primordial sentiments or other considerations.
Meanwhile, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ performed another feat as it intensifies the war against smuggling in all the flashpoints and areas under its jurisdiction.
This was disclosed by the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja-Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Dahiru Umar during his first official assignment since assumption of office on the 12th day of January, 2016.
The Controller led the media crew of the Unit and other senior officers to inspect the spectacular seizures recorded in two days (14th – 16th January, 2016).
He stated that the seizures were particularly remarkable in view of the circumstances that led to it.
In his narrative, he stated that the first seizure of one hundred and fifty eight (158) bales of second hand clothings was effected by the Lagos Monitoring Unit on the 14th of January, 2016 through intelligence information which suggested that suspected smuggled second hand clothings were stacked at a car stand, named Mindkay Auto/car wash premises near James street Iju area of Lagos State.
In addition, on the same 14th January, 2016, the Controller’s Surveillance Team Idiroko Axis, while acting on a tip off intercepted a truck with registration number JJ 261 XP carrying a 20ft container with container number CBHU40904618 at 0645hrs along the Sango toll gate plaza.
He stated that on physcial examination, the container was found to five hundred (500) bags of suspected smuggled 50kg parboiled rice.
Similarly, the Team intercepted another Mercedes Benz flat bed truck with registration number KSF 744 K along Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode axis at 0400hrs.
He stated that the curiosity of the officers led them to suspect that the flat truck which ought to be used for conveying cement, could be used for other illicit goods.
However, their fear was confirmed after physical examination, and it was found to be carrying five hundred and fifty one (551) cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products concealed with six hundred (600) bags of cement.
In a related development, the same Team intercepted a truck with registration number XT 775 BEN along the Ijebu-Ode axis laden with four hundred (400) bags of 50kg parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled.
The Controller further added that his Monitoring Team ‘A’ Idiroko Axis, while on routine patrol, intercepted a truck with foreign number laden with logs of rough wood along the Abeokuta-Ibese road, suspected to be heading to the borders in violation of the extant rules on Export.
In the words of the Controller, “My mandate here is to bring my experience to bear in degrading the menace of smuggling. All hands must be on deck as I will be prepared to encourage and support our operatives in this campaign. The statutory function of the Unit is a task that must be done, irrespective of whatever challenge or hiccup we might encounter. My principle objective is to ensure that all officers of the unit key into change mantra of the Federal Government/ NCS and that’s why it is pertinent to stress that FOU ‘A’ officers, by the nature of their assignment, must be agents of change so that others will follow”.
He commended the effort of the various teams that exhibited operational dexterity while urging others to emulate the laudable achievements of their counterparts.
The Controller warned smugglers to have a rethink by investing in more legitimate businesses as he vowed to continue to wreck havoc on them should they remain adamant or recalcitrant.
He, however assured legitimate/compliant traders of the support of the Unit in terms of facilitation of legitimate trade.
Finally, he called on patriotic Nigerians to oblige the unit with genuine and useful information that could help track smugglers irrespective of their method.
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.
