The Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, said it intercepted 68,225 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as, petrol and 11 trucks loads of foreign parboiled smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries.
This is even as the Unit frowned at the killing of an Inspector of Customs, A Onwegbuzie along Senator Road, Ilaro axis of Ogun State, whose body was dumped into a pit after his gruesome murder.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, said 20 cartons,164 bottles of unregistered drugs and 2,150 cartons of frozen poultry products were also intercepted in Lagos and Ogun.
Ejibunu, who declared an onslaught against illegal bunkering activities within the zone, said smuggled items worth a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N767.6million were seized by the unit in the month of March 2022.
He said, “breakdown of the seizures include 6,747 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50kg each equivalent to 11 trailers load; 68,225 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to more than two (2) tankers.
“Smuggled items worth a total duty paid value of N767.63million were seized by the Federal Operations Unit Zone A in the month of March 2022 with 23 persons arrested at various points in connection with smuggling activities.
“A breakdown of the seizures include 6,747 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50kg each equivalent to eleven (11) trailers load; 68,225 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to more than two (2) tankers; 20 cartons and 164 bottles of unregistered drugs; 2,150 cartons of frozen poultry products; 526 bales of second-hand clothing; 447 parcels of Cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp.
Others are, 927 pieces of used pneumatic tyres; 781 pieces of used compressors; 256 pieces of imported vegetable oil at 5 litres each; 825 cartons and 108 pieces of Tin Tomatoes; 34 units of used motorcycles; 1,950 pairs of used shoes; 662 cartons of wine; 20 cartons and 164 bottles of unregistered drugs; 13 fairly used vehicles smuggled across land borders; 59 sacks of used bags; and 17 sacks of used shoes.
The Customs boss, however, frowned at the attitude of smugglers attacking officers on legal duties, saying that won’t stop the unit from engaging in anti-smuggling activities.
He added that the fight against smuggling will always be reinvigorated to sustain the tempo of economic protection and prevention of dangerous goods from entering the country through any entry point in the South West.
He condemned the gruesome killing of Inspector of Customs A. Onwegbuzie by suspected smugglers in Ogun State while discharging his official duties and said the long arms of the law will catch up with such murderers who dumped the murdered officer’s body in a pit.
Smugglers, according to him will always face stiff confrontation as the unit will never be deterred by the attacks and the recent killing of one officer in the line of duty.
He said, “The fight against smuggling is becoming more and more intense and fierce due to increased level of crime. Smugglers are more determined than ever before to confront officers on patrol even unprovoked.
“This new wave of the daring attitude of smugglers has claimed the lives of many officers; the latest being the hacking to death with the machete of Inspector of Customs Onwegbuzie along Senator Road, Ilaro axis of Ogun State, after making a seizure on Wednesday 2nd March 2022.
“The officer was not only gruesomely murdered but his body was dumped in a deep pit. Nevertheless, with the timely arrival of other patrol teams, three arrests were made in connection with the murder and 78 bags of smuggled parboiled rice at 50kg each and six motorcycles were equally seized.
“On Wednesday 9th March 2022, a patrol team uncovered several rice barns in a thick bush in Ogun state. The discovery which was made at night triggered gunshots from smugglers directed at officers. Officers never bulged and in the morning, evacuated 845 bags of foreign parboiled rice to the station.
“Another attack took place on Wednesday 16th March 2022, along Oyan-Oni-Chain, Idere at Ibarapa area of Oyo State after making a seizure of 105 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50kg each. During that attack which was repelled, a fleeing smuggler dropped his locally made pump action rifle with four (4) cartridges which the team brought to the station.
“In the same vein, a team that intercepted two (2) Toyota Camry vehicles laden with 86 bags of smuggled parboiled rice at 50kg each along Owode/Idiroko road of Ogun State was again attacked by smugglers.
“The team not only secured the seizure but also repelled the attackers during which one was shot in the leg and arrested alongside his Dane gun and one cutlass. The suspect is currently receiving treatment but under guard. You can now see the number of attacks just for the month of March 2022, alone.
“The situation we have on our hands requires all hands to be on deck. It, therefore, behoves all of us to fight this common and dangerous enemy called smuggling” the Acting Controller said.
He also called on members of the public to share credible information with the service that could forestall smuggling activities and lead to the arrest of more smugglers.
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