Customs Nabs 23 Smugglers Over N767.6m Contraband
The Federal Operation Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested 23 smugglers over some contraband valued at N767.6million in March 2022.
The Acting Controller of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu also said that the command collected N89,35 million as revenue in March, 2022.
The controller added that He added that the fight against smuggling would always be reinvigorated to sustain the tempo of economic protection and prevention of dangerous goods from entering the country through any entry point in the South West.
Ejinunu said that five of the arrested suspects were granted administrative bail while 18 others are at various stages of investigation ahead of likely prosecution.
He noted that the seizures include: 6,747 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50kilogrammes each equivalent to eleven 11 trailers load; 68,225 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to more than two tankers; 2,150 cartons of frozen poultry products; 526 bales of second-hand clothing; 447 parcels (2,056kg) of Cannabis sativa (Indian hemp); 927 pieces of used pneumatic tyres; 781 pieces of used compressors and 256 pieces of imported vegetable oil at 5 litres each.
Others are 825 cartons and 108 pieces of tin tomatoes; 34 units of used motorcycles; 1,950 pairs of used shoes; 662 cartons of wine; 20 cartons and 164 bottles of unregistered drugs; 13 fairly used vehicles smuggled across land borders, 59 sacks of used bags and 17 sacks of used shoes
Ejibunu noted that officers of the unit would always be unrelenting in its 24 hour patrols to intercept any means of conveyance of smuggled items, seized them and arrests suspects involved in the act.
He condemned the gruesome killing of Inspector of Customs A. Onwegbuzie by suspected smugglers while discharging his official duties in Ogun State, saying that the long arms of the law would catch up with such murderers, who dumped the murdered officer’s body in a pit
According to him, the unit had also declared an onslaught against illegal bunkering activities which was evident in the seizure of petroleum products by a designated team against it.
Ejibunu said: “Smugglers will always face stiff confrontation as the unit will never be deterred by the attacks and recent killing of one officer in the line of duty. The fight against smuggling is becoming more and more intense and fierce due to increased level of crime. Smugglers are more determined than ever before to confront officers on patrol even unprovoked.
“This new wave of daring attitude of smugglers has claimed the lives of many officers; the latest being the hacking to death with machete of Inspector of Customs Onwegbuzie A. along Senator Road, Ilaro axis of Ogun State after making a seizure on Wednesday 2nd March, 2022. The officer was not only gruesomely murdered but his body was dumped in a deep pit. Interestingly, newspapers were not awash with the report of the incident. Were it the other way round, there would have been noise everywhere. Nevertheless, with the timely arrival of other patrol teams, three arrests were made in connection with the murder, 78 bags of smuggled parboiled rice at 50kilogrammes each and six motorcycles were equally seized.”
He recalled that on March 9, 2022, a patrol team uncovered several rice barns in a thick bush behind Dangote Cement Factory in Ogun State, noting that discovery which was made in the night, triggered gunshots from smugglers directed at officers.
He said: “Another attack took place on Wednesday 16th March, 2022, along Oyan-Oni-Chain, Idere at Ibarapa area of Oyo State after making seizure of 105 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50kilogrammes each. During that attack which was repelled, a fleeing smuggler dropped his locally made pump action rifle with four cartridges which the team brought to the station.
“In the same vein, a team that intercepted two Toyota Camry vehicles laden with 86 bags of smuggled parboiled rice at 50kilogrammes each along Owode/Idiroko road of Ogun State was again attacked by smugglers. The team not only secured the seizure but it also repelled the attackers during which one was shot in the leg and arrested alongside his dane gun and one cutlass. The suspect is currently receiving treatment, but under guard. You can now see the number of attacks just for the month of March, 2022, alone.”
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