Anti-Smuggling: One Year of Humongous Seizures at Fou ‘A’ Customs, As Oladeji Showcases Over N18.7B Worth of Intercepted Contraband Goods across South-West Zone
Comptroller Kola Oladeji, Controller in Charge, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, NCS
The year 2024 tends to be an exciting year for officers and men of Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), having put up an impressive performance in the battle against smugglers and economic saboteurs.
At a briefing held yesterday on Monday December 23, 2024 in its Ikeja headquarters, the foremost anti-smuggling unit’s Controller, Comptroller IK Oladeji disclosed that a total of 707 seizures worth more than N18.710 billion were intercepted by the unit under his watch between January and December this year 2024.
In the same superlative performance mood, the Controller revealed that no less than N1.012 billion was generated as revenue from Debit Note (DN) issued on detention of consignments that fell short of trade laws in the period under review.
Similarly, the elated Controller of the unit, Comptroller IK Oladeji also informed newsmen present at the briefing that about 94 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures within the period, out of which six (6) persons were convicted for various offences.
Comptroller IK Oladeji, Controller, FOU A, addressing newsmen during the press briefing
The Controller noted that, the commitment of his led unit at combating smuggling and ensuring maximum compliance to the provisions of the NCS Act 2023, has yielded series of seizures and arrests from January 2024 till date. These achievements underscore our determination to protect the Nation’s economy and security against illicit Cross Border Trade and movement around our Borders.
He further said that they have been working relentlessly to improve smuggling detection methods, leveraging on intelligence to stay ahead of smugglers and prevent the importation of prohibited and harmful products.
Oladeji, while conducting newsmen round some of the seizures which includes hard drugs, massive foreign parboiled rice, second hand vehicles, bales of second hand clothing, refrigerators, as well as frozen food products.
In the recently inaugurated “Operation Swift Sting” introduced by his led management team, to further boost its anti-smuggling campaign bite across the south west region, Comptroller Kola Oladeji said the team has recorded remarkable success in the fight against illicit Cross Border Trade with impressive smuggling and arrest of culprits in just two weeks. He noted that through the operation, the unit arrested a significant amount of cannabis Sativa, 4,010 bags of foreign parboiled rice in with 50kg bag each, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), along with other contraband items. “It is clear that “Operation Swift Sting” is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartel at the same time ensuring facilitation of compliant Trade with impressive outcome”, he said.
Furthermore, Comptroller Oladeji said that Ninety-four (94) Defendants were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and 6 persons have been convicted for various offences, and this he said demonstrated the unit’s quest to bring perpetrators to justice and also ensure deterrence from illicit Trade.
He pointed that, 707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of Eighteen billion, Seven hundred and Ten million, One hundred and Forty-three thousand, Eight hundred and One naira, Twenty-four kobo (N 18,710,143,801.24) were intercepted from January 2024 till date. Notable among which include: 48,912 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each; 91,975 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 7,861 kg of Cannabis sativa; 6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins; 37,630 sachets of Tramadol, and 207 units of Motor Vehicles, among which were impounded for duty short payment, but were later cleared after regularized payment and fine.
Other seizures recorded by the unit include: 6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 1,433 bales of used clothes; 1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors, as well as 317 cartons of illicit medicament.
The vibrant performance outlook of the anti-smuggling unit also saw a superlative feat in the revenue collection support to the zone in 2024 through careful documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices to consignments that were found to have underpaid Customs Duty. To this, the Controller revealed that a total sum of One Billion, Twelve Million, Seven Hundred And Eighty Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty Seven Naira, Twenty One Kobo N1,012,783,437.21 was generated through these efforts. This he said also underscored the importance of careful monitoring and intelligence at preventing smuggling and ensuring that all imports are properly declared and taxed.
According to him, smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. To this, he said the Service is calling on all citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit Cross Border Trade.
He explained that in the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, they as well raised awareness about the dangers of smuggling and the importance of complying with Customs regulations, noting that they remained resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.
He however commended the Cooperation and support of all Security Agencies, Media practitioners and other stakeholders, and the general public in providing timely information support and advice. In the same vain.
He also extended deep appreciation to the gallant officers of the unit for their unwavering commitment and Service to the nation, noting that their unrelenting efforts at preventing the importation of prohibited and harmful products, dedication to protecting the nation’s economy and security do not go unnoticed.
Oladeji was however thankful to the able Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc (+), and his Management whose unending and unflinching support to achieve these great feat has made huge impact.
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