We are Battle Ready, Western Marine Customs Tells Die Hard Smugglers

0

…Destroys 272 Cartons of Poultry Products 
By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has sent out a warning message to die hard smugglers,  saying that his officers are battle ready and determined to resist smuggling across waterways as a result of the  closure of the land borders.

 

 

 

 

 

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt Olugboyega Peter’s stated this at a press briefing in Lagos on Friday.

Compt Peters assumed leadership of the command two weeks ago. Within these two weeks,the command has intercepted a total of 466 foreign parboiled 50kg bags of rice and 272 cartons of frozen poultry products.

Apart from these, 120 pieces of wrappers and 240 yards of plain materials were also seized within the short time frame. The 272 cartons of frozen products were destroyed in presence of officials of NAFDAC and DSS.

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Comptroller, the seizures were made at Bera Creek in Adodo,Ogun State,Badagry waters, Yekeme waterways,T-junction. The Controller added that the seizures had a total of N13,032,350.00 as the Duty Paid Value (DPV).

Compt Peter informed journalists that he had embarked on a tour of all creeks within the western waters in order to familiarize himself with the terrain and to find out what are the challenges of Customs officers mounting these areas.

Peters said his officers will continually increase their patrol on waters to prevent smugglers from accessing the Nigerian markets through waters

Speakibg, he said “I embarked on the tour of the waterways to familiarize myself with all these creeks along the waterways, it was actually a blessing in disguise,  when we got to Ijofin, we visited the kabiyesi,  he said this is the very first time that the marine presence would be felt in that place, and he promised to give whatever we want in terms of corporation”
“My major interest on how to succeed on this place is through  Customs-Community approach because we cannot do it alone, we need all the stakeholders to assist us”
“So I had to familiarize myself with the terrain and ask my officers questions on what their challenges are, so that we can proffer solutions.
As we all know that because of the border drill, attention would be diverted to the waterways, and the criminals are not sleeping,  they research on daily basis, but notwithstanding,  as they are moving, we are moving along with them”
“We are battle ready, but mostly, we are going to work based on intelligence and information gathering”
“There has been a fantastic relationship snd synergy between the customs and other government agencies like the marine police, Nigerian Navy and Civil Defence ” he said

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Share