Mohammed to remodel FOU Zone A operations to tackle smuggling

The new Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Zone A, Uba Garba Mohammed, has pledged to strategically remodel its operations to curtail the menace of smugglers.

Mohammed, who promised full confrontation with smugglers, said: “Smuggling activities will be reduced to the barest minimum because they are injurious to the society.”

The Comptroller, in a media chart at the weekend, also unveiled plans to redeploy more competent officers to combat the incidence of smuggling of contraband goods into the system and solidify the structure.

Noting that the Zone accounts for 70 per cent of the NCS’ total revenue, he pledged to double his efforts to ensure maximum revenue generation and reduction of smuggling activities within the Zone to the barest minimum.

He also appealed to the media to avail the Unit with useful information on the activities of smugglers. “Wherever there are a lot of activities, you also have more problems in such places. Much is expected of me so I have decided to double my effort.

“By the time, I have all the necessary information; I will know what to do within the limit of my power. I assure you that you will see changes with my coming on board. We will partner with you and do our best in making sure that these illegal activities are brought to the barest minimum,” he said.

Revealing his plans to streamline the use of firearms and unfortunate killing of innocent Nigerians, he said: “Firing of arms is only done when the officer’s life is at risk, and it is usually done based on instruction from superior officers. But we will ensure that casualties are reduced to the barest minimum.”