* Seize billion naira worth contrabands
* Lose man to EndSars
Abeokuta: Tunde MARTINS
Published, November 19, 2020
THE NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE, Ogun 1 Command continues to make smuggling a bad business for desperate smugglers as the Service made seizures of contrabands worth billions of naira, recovered stolen seized items, and regrettably lost an officer to hoodlums who hijacked the peaceful EndSars protest.
Briefing journalists at its headquarters of Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko, Ogun State recently, Ogun State Comptroller, Michael Agbara said his Area Command suffered several vicious attacks, leading to the death of an officer named AIC Solomon Alayge, and others suffered different degrees of life threatened injuries from the hands of hoodlums and smugglers who hijacked the recent nationwide EndSARS protest, particularly at the border areas.
"In the early hours of Thursday, 22nd of October, 2020 many of our patrol teams were attacked, their patrol bases were vandalized and set ablaze.
"Our officers and men were trapped as a result of the multiple attacks suffered along Oja-Odan, Ilaro (along Ilaro/Oja- Odan/Obele border), Ihunbo, Adisba, Owode (along Idiroko axis), Ijoun and Imeko.
"Many of our personnel’s belongings including uniforms and other valuables were looted. Many of our patrol vehicles were vandalized", Comptroller Agbara lamented.
The Comptroller further narrated that in what seemed to be a premeditated action, the supposed hoodlums who acted like vicious smugglers in large number embarked on massive smuggling of rice and vehicles for three days.
Despite the security challenges to the lives security personnel, Comptroller Michael Agbara mobilised the officers and men of his Command with military reinforcement prevented the hoodlums to attack "our Government Warehouses at Idiroko and Abeokuta and other critical government facilities".
"With bravery and gallantry of officers and men of the Command coupled with the maximum support of the Military, the Command recorded the under listed seizures after the restoration of law and order across our borders.
2,947 BAGS OF RICE
1,875 LITRES OF PMS
18 UNITS OF VEHICLES
4 UNITS OF MOTORCYCLES
10 sacks and 1,658 PIECES OF CANNABIS SATIVA
159 CARTONS OF SUGAR
30 CARTONS OF TOMATO PASTE
12 CARTONS OF COSMETICS AND SOAPS
19 CARTONS OF INSECTICIDE
7 KEGS OF VEGITABLE OIL (25 LITRES EACH)
Mr. Agbara added that the Ogun 1 Command, during the third quarter endind in September 2020, successfully recorded 420 seizures comprising the items stated below:
11,146 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50 kg each) an average of 18 trailer loads per month.
86 units of Vehicles
39 units of Motorcycle (Means of Conveyance)
10 kegs of Vegetable oil (25 liters each)
81 bales, 34 Sacks of Secondhand clothing
1 Sack and 1,344 Pairs of Used Shoes
1,814 Cartons of Frozen Poultry Products
299,450 liters of PMS (Petrol)
127 Kegs of Palm oil (25 liters each)
1,225 liters of Diesel
75 liters of Kerosene
363 pcs of Handbags
17 Cartons Body Cream
12 bags by 50kg and 4 Cartons of Sugar
37 sacks comprising 190 Book size, 883 Wraps and coconut Size Packs of Cannabis sativa
213 Pieces of Used tyres
24 Sacks of Pesticide
210 Sacks of Black soap Chemical
6 Packs of Ghana Soap
8 Cartons of Imported Soaps
10,775 Pieces of different types of Plastic Rubber
410 Pieces of Textile (Wrapper)
172 Pairs of Rubber Slippers
5 Sacks of Alligator Pepper
186 Cartons of Crocodile Machetes
72 Bundles of Nylon
3 Bags and 1 sack of Snuff
1 Sack of Ladies Bra
2 Wraps of Ladies Wears
6 Sacks of Medicament
1 Carton Imported Perfumes
14 Bales of Cut Length Material
He said total duty paid value of the above items iwas N397,076,991
The Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko, would not be detered by the precarious situation experienced recently as it would not only continue to performe it's statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies, but would continue to dialogue, engage, sensitize and educate the public on social/economic implication of smuggling .
"We wish to reiterate that the continued attack on operatives of NCS and other sister Agencies will not deter us from the continued performance of our legitimate duties."
The Comptroller, however, appeals to parents and guardians to prevail on their children, wards and youths to desist from criminal acts such as smuggling and attack on security agencies.
"It is important to note that activities embarked upon by the Command is a patriotic duty in the interest of national security and economic wellbeing of Nigeria.
"NCS (Nigeria Customs Service) operatives, in observance of the rules of engagement, will continue to carry out its legitimate duties as prescribed by the law," Agbara reiterated.
The Customs boss appreciated community leaders, other collaborating government agencies, and the press for support.
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