Smuggling: Ogun Customs Command seek support of media, traditional rulers, others to end menace

Sequel to the increased activities of smugglers and the attendant damage to the nation’s economy and personnel of the service, the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday sought the cooperation of the media, traditional rulers, parents and other eminent Nigerians to end the menace.

The Area Controller, Ogun State Command of the NCS, Comptroller Sani Madugu made the call at a press briefing held at the Idi Iroko Axis of the command on Thursday to intimate members of the public on efforts taken by the command so far to curb smuggling.

The Comptroller reiterated the command’s resolve to end smuggling, while also soliciting the assistance of the media, traditional rulers and parents in the anti-smuggling crusade: Today’s event is a pointer to the fact that the media, traditional rulers and eminent personalities should play a greater role in exposing the grave danger Customs Officers face in the discharge of their duties, especially in Ogun state and also to discourage the activities of their wards and subjects who indulge in smuggling and perceive such as a legitimate way of livelihood.

Speaking on the feats achieved by the command in the last two weeks, the customs boss flanked by the Commands Spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada said: “We have sustained the tempo promised in our anti-smuggling drive. “During the period under review, the tireless efforts by the Officers and Men of the Command, yielded a total, 13 Tokunbo vehicles, 12 means of conveyance, 21 motorcycles, 1, 168 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each), 221 kegs of vegetable oil (25liters each), 5 sacks secondhand shoes and 2 sacks of secondhand bags with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N153, 858, 579, 153.00. at Idiroko axis of Ogun Area Command.

He disclosed that “most spectacular among the seizures, is a brand new Range Rover (velar) 2018 model seized and tagged “the seizure of the month”. The said vehicle has a DPV of N51.2million.

Recall that Newsclickng.com had earlier exclusively reported how operatives of the command recently engaged the smugglers at the Ibeji River around Idogo area of the state.

In the encounter, an officer received a life threatening injury on his fingers and arm, though he is fast recuperating at the hospital.

According to the custom boss, “full scale investigation is on-going to ensure that such mindless, irresponsible and unpatriotic criminals are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.”

However, Officers will continue to exercise their functions in line with the rules of engagement with caution, but will respond appropriately and firmly on armed smugglers and economic saboteurs.

Despite the aforementioned event and given the tottering nature of the operational environment, we will not relent, we will continue to stand firm and resolute in discharging the statutory responsibilities bestowed upon us as a Service with dedication, selflessness and uncompromising commitment”, he concluded.