Following the proactive measures being put in place by the Nigeria Customs Service to frontally deal with the issue of smuggling, the Headquarters compliance team ‘C’ Ogun/Oyo axis was set up alongside other anti-smuggling arms to decimate the activities of smugglers.
The team has been involved in series of remarkable seizures despite the hostility of smugglers. These revelations were made by the team leader, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdulmaruf Shittu, while conducting the media round some of their latest seizures.
In his narrative of the teams exploits, the team leader disclosed that the team intercepted one used Iveco truck with registration number SUC 527 XA, suspected to be carrying prohibited goods, while acting on a tip off along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway.
Speaking further, he stated that the truck was taken to Customs house Ibadan on the same day where 100% examination was conducted in accordance with laid down procedures.
“The examination revealed nine hundred and fifty (950) cartons of brand new foreign shoes totalling twenty three thousand, three hundred and forty (23,340) pairs and thirty (30) jumbo sacks of local slippers, totalling eight hundred and sixteen (816) pairs which was used to neatly conceal the items”, he said.
In another development, the team leader disclosed that on 21st May, 2016 the team while on routine patrol intercepted a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number LSk 835 XP.
The team leader confirmed that the truck was taken to Headquarters of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja where a physical examination was conducted which revealed that the truck was laden with three hundred and five (305) pieces of used tryes and large quantities of soaps, used clothings, detergents, large quantities of blenders, one hundred and thirty six (136) giant cartons of cosmetics, one hundred and forty five (145) cartons of pampers etc.
“It is pertinent to note that some of the items mentioned do not fall into the prohibition list but we had to confiscate them as means of concealment in line with the extant laws”, the team leaders explained.
Giving a further insight, the team leader also informed the media that the team intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GUE 60 XA along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway, laden with thirty (30) bales of second hand clothings. The goods were domiciled in the Customs facility at Ikeja.
Answering questions on the strategies he is putting in place to contain the nefarious activities of smugglers, the team leader noted that, “We are deeply committed in this fight against smuggling, particularly with regards to the change mantra of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management. The team can dare any situation and will always remain on top of its statutory mandate irrespective of the challenges”.
He expressed appreciation with the NCS Management for their support and promised to take the fight against smuggling to a greater level that will compel compliance with the would be smugglers.
The team leader further assured that his team in collaboration with the other anti-smuggling units has the capacity and capability to degrade smugglers.
“We are not unmindful of their desperation to smuggle, in terms of going the extra miles, using any available strategy. The good news is that we are always several steps ahead of them.
“The task of policing the entire area under our coverage is a responsibility that we cannot afford to abdicate. We are not oblivious of the expectation of the Nigeria Custom Service Management, in terms of optimal performance, hence our desire to make them proud.
“The Nigeria Custom Service has risen up to this challenge and will not rest on its oars until we suppress smuggling to barest minimum”, he said.
The team leader solicited the support of Nigerians in this fight and promised that identity of informants would be jealously guided, so as not to endanger their lives.
“The Service believes that the fight against smuggling cannot be undertaken by the Customs alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring complete decimation and blocking of their supply chains. We do this principally because of our deep commitment towards ensuring the protection of the economy and enforcement of fiscal policies in terms of trade. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total. We will stop at nothing until we become satisfied that we have completely suppressed smuggling in our clime”, Shittu stated.
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