Ogun customs consolidates zero casualty operations, sizes N500m worth of ammunition, C. sativa, used clothes, frozen poultry prod, others

By Ezirike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 area command, in her unrelenting efforts to reduce crime and support economic recovery has intercepted 940 rounds of ammunition worth N557,120,828.00.

The command having Controller, Ahmadu Shuaibu, on the helm of affairs seamlessly seized 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others.
The report revealed how the ammunition was concealed in sacks of garri and intercepted in the Idiroko area of the state.
All these feats were achieved without any loss of blood on both sides contrary to scenarios of the past were alleged cases of killings in the line of duties are often recorded.
Shuaibu, while addressing to newsmen last Friday said the interception occurred on March 14 while the command’s operatives were carrying out anti-smuggling operations along the border line.
The command he said had been on the trail of the smuggling cartel from the Republic of Benin, for more than two weeks.
Shuaibu underscored how intelligence applied unearthed how the cartel have tried unsuccessfully to safeguard their items, in a bid to evade arrest.
He said, “The superior security network of the command eventually aided the seizure but we lost the suspects, as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“In addition, the command also recorded the seizure of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others.”
Shuaibu said the items were intercepted at the creeks, border lines, and other strategic locations across Ogun, through the command’s intelligence network and 24-hour patrol.
The controller said in recent times, the command carried out operations with zero casualties, and that the customs valued the lives of its personnel.
He added that operatives of the command carried arms to protect their lives where and when necessary.
The controller appealed to well meaning and patriotic Nigerians to join forces with the command in its fight against the smuggling of harmful substances, light weapons, arms, and ammunition.