The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, Ogun State, has within one week made seizures of contraband with duty paid value of N229, 112, 424.
The acting Customs Area Controller for the Command, Mohammed Shuaibu, disclosed this on Thursday at a briefing held at Idiroko.
Shuaibu who just resumed last week as the new controller for the command listed some of the contraband to include 2,169 bags of 50kg rice, 1128 parcels of cannabis sativa commonly known as marijuana weighing 1,109.3kg as well as 21 bales and two sacks of used clothes.
Others are 166 pieces of pneumatic tyres, 360 cartons of imported shoes, 250 kegs of PMS weighing 25 litres each, 20 units of vehicles used for conveyance and a foreign used vehicle of 2012 model Toyota Highlander.
Shuaibu explained, “These seizures were made at strategic locations, including Idiroko, Ilaro, Alamala-Rounda axis, Obada Oko-Abeokuta axis, Abule Kazeem-Abeokuta axis and Imeko-Afon axis, which is known as a smuggling hotspot.”
He said that the seizures underscore the strong resolve of the command’s operatives “in dismantling the smuggling networks that undermine our economy, endanger lives, and hinder local industries”.
The controller explained that the illegal importation of rice poses a significant threat
to Nigeria’s economy as it does not only hampers local rice production but also undermines the Federal Government’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency.
He said, “We, therefore, view smuggling of rice as economic sabotage, and we will not relent in bringing perpetrators to justice.”
Shuaibu revealed further that the implications of cannabis smuggling are even more dire because it destroys lives, fuels criminal activities and jeopardises the safety and security of communities.
He, however, promised that his leadership would not allow such criminal activities to thrive in the state.
The Customs boss added that the importation of used clothes was also banned for obvious health and economic reasons.
He said, “Aside from being a conduit for hazardous materials, it discourages the growth of our local textile industry, which has the potential to generate jobs for millions of Nigerians.”
Shuaibu has, however, warned smugglers and their collaborators saying that the command is “prepared to match their activities with superior intelligence, unwavering commitment, and lawful force where necessary.”
He assured the people of the state and law-abiding traders that the command’s operations are targeted only at those who violate the law.
Shuaibu said that the command will continue to maintain an open-door policy, work with local communities, and encourage legitimate trade that fosters economic development within and around the border communities in the state.
While praising the renewed dedication of the officers of the Command, Shuaibu urged them to remain vigilant, disciplined and committed to the task at hand, saying that the country and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who has always encouraged them expected nothing less from them.
