NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE INTERCEPTS TWO (2) TRUCKS AND A BUS LADEN WITH ASSORTED CONTRABAND GOODS IN AN INTENSIVE OPERATION
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.
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 does not fall
into the prohibition list but we had to confiscate them as means of concealment
in line with the extant laws.
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”.
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.
Source….
No comments