Within the first six weeks of assuming office as Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone A Lagos, Comptroller Kola Olajide has disclosed the arrest of 20 smuggling suspects and made 203 seizures worth N2,262,849,547.
Addressing reporters in Lagos at his maiden press briefing, Comptroller Olajide said the seizures and arrests were a fallout of intense anti smuggling operations across the six states of the South West. Within the period of his leadership he added that N81,813,612.81 was recovered from under payments.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Olajide said the unit seized 914 Jerry cans of 25litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 22,850 litres ; 10,372 units of 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice; 27 units of imported used vehicles; 2,152 cartons of foreign frozen products ; 6 units of imported used trucks and
625kg of Cannabis sativa
Comptroller Olajide described the seizures as the beginning of tougher days for smugglers who try to defy Nigerian laws by bringing prohibited items into the country or attempting to underpay duty to the government
While decrying the smuggling of exotic cars through bush paths, he said it was penny wise pound foolish for some persons to bring in vehicles worth over N80m into the country and attempting to evade duty payment.
According to him, the unit has enlisted the support of various stakeholders in border communities like monarchs, faith based leaders for the prevention of smuggling while also engaging the support of sister government agencies when the need arises
He added that “Within the last month of my being here, I have done a rejig to raise our level of efficiency to tighten the noose against smugglers in the South West. Our reinvigorated intelligence-backed patrols are better stationed with high morale monitoring movements at the borders and all highways under our areas of responsibility.
“I have activated robust community relation efforts with local border communities including traditional rulers, faith-based leaders like clergymen, youth leaders and other members of the society. This is to remind them of the dangers of smuggling and urge them to join us in the campaign for a better Nigeria where citizens contribute to the fight against smuggling.
“It is pertinent to reiterate that our consistent engagement with stakeholders and critical partners comprising of officers from other services is in line with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR dsm fnipr psc (+)
“In line with the Comptroller-Generalās mission of collaboration with critical stakeholders. I want to commend the commitment of the Army, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security Services, members of the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agents (ANCLA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), traditional rulers and patriotic citizens for cooperating with the Service and supporting the Unit in the fight against smuggling” he said
