Customs impounds N50m goods, seeks partnership with communities
THE Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has impounded goods worth over N50 million.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, the new Controller of the unit, Madugu Jubrin, said that the zone has declared total war on smugglers.
Jubrin, who assumed duties on November 6, disclosed that modalities have been put in place to curtail the activities of smugglers.
According to him, items seized within one week of his assumption of office included 239 bales of second hand clothes valued at N10 million; 1.120 cartons of 950megawatts of generators valued at N13 million; 1,822 bags of rice valued at N11.8 million and vegetable oil valued at N2.4 million.
Others include 1,136 cartons of frozen poultry products valued at N6.8 million and 42 parcels of Indian hemp valued at N2.01 million.
Already, according to Jubrin, the Indian hemp parcels have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for appropriate action, pointing out that the gesture became pertinent in view of the need to enhance operational synergy with various agencies of government for a sustained relationship.
He said that the various seizures recorded in just one week of assuming office portray a lot of hope and expectations for the unit and service in general.
Jubrin pledged not to rest on his oars, adding that all-inclusive methodology involving the communities where the officers operate are being reached to improve on the relationship as well as synergy.
He pointed out that smuggling, just like scavenging, is a global phenomenon, which requires the cooperation of all Nigerians, saying that “as a way of ensuring that very decisive steps are taken to decimate the smugglers, we have adopted several operational modalities for the actualization of expected results.
Part of the initiative, he said, “includes but not limited to an all-inclusive methodology involving the communities where we operate. We made frantic efforts to improve on the Customs Community Relationship (CCR) as well as synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders.
“We believe that smuggling just like scavenging is a global phenomenon which requires the cooperation of all Nigerians particularly the media.
“Generally speaking and in totality, the unit recorded four thousand, seven hundred and thirty-three (4,733) different remarkable seizures, valued at forty-five million, five hundred and eighty-six thousand, nine hundred naira (N45,586,900.00) in just one week of my resumption. This portrays a lot of hope and expectation for the unit and service in general. I will not rest on my
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1 Comments
This is true.
I live in border area,and I can confirm that there has been a drastic reduction in the traffic of the smugglers.
This can be sustained,only if the Custom Officers are not going to be begging smugglers to cross cars and Rice for their’s and their numerous girl-friends and concubine uses.
You have a lot of re-orientation to do on your officers first, and then you will succeed.
We will review and take appropriate action.