Oladeji Showcases Enforcement Capabilities, as FOU ‘A’ Customs Bruises Smugglers’ Loins

… Records N2.2B in less than 2 months

Regardless of the recent leadership changes in most customs strong formations including the core enforcement arms of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the battle against smuggling and duty evaders across the south west region have continued unabated in an unusual dimension with the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ leading the pack.

Comptroller James Oladeji, Controller, FOU Zone ‘A’

Though the change of baton which saw Comptroller James Oladeji took over affairs of the unit about two months ago at the foremost enforcement arm of the service witnessed a comprehensive reorganization, which moved virtually all operatives’ heads of units with known names to different field locations, and subsequent injection of new ones.

This process and other reorganizational measures put in place by the new leadership tends to initially brought uneasy and unusual calm in the entire operational process within the unit operations, while many watched with keen interest the turn of event and how the new leadership can nurture essential leadership to bring about the usual performance bustle characterized by massive seizure feat of contraband items.

However, Comptroller Oladeji at his maiden press briefing on May 28^th, 2024, stunned many when he showcased mouthwatering seizures of contraband garnered across the zone with a total of 203 seizures worth a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of Two Billion, Two Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Eight Hundred and Fourty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fourty-Seven Naira (N2,262,849,547) recorded within one month of his take over affairs at the unit. This is aside the about twenty (20) suspects arrested in connection with some of the seized goods.

Comptroller Oladeji during the briefing said within the last month of his assumption of office, his led management have done some rejig to raise the unit’s 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-General’s 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, the Controller said.

He however informed the pressmen and invited guests at the briefing that they operations at FOU ‘A’ is to support genuine businessmen and women by helping to facilitate their trades and contributing to their efforts which is adding value to our economy, noting that Law-abiding business people have no reason to fear or worry because of our presence on the highways.

As he showcased the various seized goods that were made within the period he took charge affairs of the unit, which he said are fallouts of the unit’s efforts at suppressing smuggling and protecting the Nigerian economy, Oladeji reiterated his doors are open for interactions and sharing of intelligence on how to succeed on this task.

Breakdown of the seizures made by operatives of the unit from different locations within the south west zone include: 914 Jerry cans X 25litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 22,850 litres; 10,372 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice; 27 units of imported used vehicles; 2,152 cartons of foreign frozen products; Six (6) units of imported used trucks, as well as 625kg of Cannabis sativa

Similarly, the unit is seen to be doing spectacularly in its efforts to boost revenue collection within the zone through interventions from Debit Note (DN) from goods that fell short of trade laws as the Controller said a total sum of Eighty-One Million, Eight Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Six Hundred and Twelve Naira, Eighty One Kobo (N81, 813,612.81) was recovered through meticulous documentary checks on goods already exited with low duty payments, which would have escaped the coffers of the Federal Government Account.

He however said, this is just the beginning of tougher days for smugglers who try to defy our laws by bringing prohibited items into the country or attempting to underpay duty to the government thereby undermining Nigeria Customs Service’s drive for maximum revenue collection.