Business
Customs will continue to give smugglers nightmare, make more seizures – Ogun Command, Kolo
…As CGC pated command for exceptional feat in Anti-Smuggling Operations.
By Ezurike Ugochukwu
The Nigerian Customs Service Ogun 1 Command has said it remains undaunted in it’s commitments to give smugglers in the area a fight like never before, as it will not be intimidated from making seizures.
Record has shown that seizures made in just a month as disclosed to National Update by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hamed Oloyede records among others: 4,138 bags of rice, smuggled petrol products and other items estimated.at well over N72.6 million.
Breakdown showed that Controller of the command, Comptroller Peter Kolo, and Officers in his command in their untiring efforts last August alone, recorded a total of 95 seizures, comprising 4,138 bags of foreign rice; 830 cartons of frozen poultry products; 592 kegs of smuggled petrol; 15 units of vehicles/ means of conveyance.The very many achievements of the Command in a short time have no doubt attracted the commendation of the Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) Hameed Ali (Rtd) and the entire Nigeria Customs Service management team that have deemed it appropriate to these achievements in anti-smuggling operations at Idiroko border area of Nigeria and neighbouring Benin Republic.
As the battle gets more fierce in August 2021, the Command realized a total of 95 seizures, comprising 4,138 bags of foreign rice; 830 cartons of frozen poultry products; 592 kegs of smuggled petrol; 15 units of vehicles/ means of conveyance.
Others include; six sacks of cannabis sativa/ other illicit drugs. Also among the seized items are, six bales and 15 sacks of secondhand clothing; 90 used handbags and 16 sacks of used shoes, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N 72,589,473 (approximately N72.6million).The Ogun 1 Customs Command credible feat, efficiency in delivery services to the nation has indeed proven critics of the Kolo led administration wrong.
According to the released statement, the intercepted items which were displayed at the Command officers mess, include smuggled poultry products that were destroyed(burnt).
The statement also revealed that the government warehouse located at the border area was stockpiled with seized contraband items. Whereas seizures in the area are recorded hourly to say the least.
The enormity at which illegal transactions at the Idiroko border post are carried out was alarming and very worrisome, as his enforcement have deviced new strategy in uncovering smugglers antics, frustrating every of their attempt to smile home with their illicit gains.
Vehicles designed to carry not more than three persons which was among the items seized with over 50 kegs of smuggled petrol, as they were padded with extra iron carriers underneath to enable it carry heavy loads.
Kolo however added that his officers remain resolute and undeterred in raising the tempo of anti-smuggling at Idiroko border, despite attacks by smugglers and their sponsors in trying to frustrate their efforts.
Other achievements recorded by the command in the last eight months (January to August, 2021), showed that the command has not recorded any casualty in anti-smuggling operations even as they making more massive seizures within the period.Compt Kolo in essence has introduced new strategy in anti-smuggling operations, most especially at Idiroko axis, despite the volatile nature of the environment.
He therefore maintained as he said; “Our operations are Intelligence driven. We have not lost any officer and have not killed any soul in the last eight months.
“Events in the last few days in Ogun State, in which some group of students alleged importation of Arms and Ammunition through the Command is sad, embarrassing and very unfortunate, portraying the indigenes of Ogun State in bad light.“While recognising and indeed commending the patriotic students ithin them whose voices prevailed, resulting to calling off their planned protest.
“It is imperative to draw the attention of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun, members of National and State assemblies, traditional rulers, authorities from tertiary Institutions and other respected opinion leaders in Ogun State to this emerging security threat.
“By their actions, he said, we suspect smugglers, who can no longer have their ways, are now instigating activities that are capable of breaching public peace in the State.
He further stated: “Let me state that the campaign of calumny and blackmail against Customs by this group or any other group and their sponsors will not dampen our morales or discourage our resolve to succeed in this battle against these enemies of the State.”
“We are not distracted but remain focused on our anti-smuggling operations, he assured.
He said, “I commend the courage and gallantry of all officers in Ogun 1 Command in the face of sustained intimidation and unwarranted attacks by desperate smugglers in the State.”I urge you to continue to maintain this high level of professionalism in carrying out your statutory duties.
“I appreciate all the Sister Security Agencies in the State for their synergy with the Customs Service, the critical stakeholders supporting our operations and the media for objective reportage of our activities.” He affirmed.
The selfless service of the Command boss and his enforcement team attracted the attention of CGC Hameed Ali, who gave the Command a commendation letter for a job well done.
In addition to the Comptroller Kolo’s outstanding feat, the Command also received another letter of commendation from the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Zone ‘A’ for brilliant performance in anti-smuggling operations.
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