The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko has decorated over 50 newly promoted officers and men of the Service who were successful during the last promotional examinations carried out by the Service’s Commission (NCSSC).
The decoration exercise had 16 personnel promoted from the rank of the Superintendent of Customs (SC) to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), while only two officers from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) were elevated to the rank of Superintendent of Customs (SC) among others.
Speaking during the decoration ceremony, held at the commands headquarters in Idiroko, in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu said the promotion of the affected officerswas in recognition of their dedication and outstanding performances, while the decoration exercise was an acknowledgement of their hardworks, commitments and resilience to duty.
Stressing that the benefitting personnel have upheld the values and objectives of the Service, the CAC however, charged the newly promoted officers to be exemplary, remain dedicated and continually seek knowledge while functioning in their new roles of responsibilities.
Emphasising that promotion comes with new challenges, while staying ahead requires continuous learning and adaptability, Shuaibu further charged that the newly promoted NCS personnel to always work towards influencing and inspiring others to excel while still in Service.
“Promotions are not handed out lightly, they are earned. The rigorous selection process ensured that only those who met the highest standards of competence, integrity and commitment were chosen. You have proven yourselves worthy of this honour and I urge you to see this promotion as a call to even greater service to the nation “.
“Your elevation is a testament to your past achievements and an encouragement to do more. As you wear your new rank, remember the immense trust placed in you by the Service and our nation. Let this trust guide you in all that you do”.
“Together, let us continue to uphold the principles of the Nigeria Customs Service and ensure that we contribute meaningfully to the development, security and prosperity of our dear country “.
Shuaibu however, charged NCS personnel who are yet to be promoted not to be discouraged, but remain committed and continue to work hard, saying “promotion comes from God; your time will surely come”.
Speaking on behalf of all the newly promoted NCS personnel, Superintendent of Customs Okorn Ogar commended board and management of the NCS, particularly the Controller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi for finding them worthy to bestow on them, the respective new ranks.
Ogar however, assured the board and management of NCS that himself and his colleagues would not take the opportunity of the promotion for granted, but reciprocate the gesture through hard work and total rededication to duty.
Relatedly, the Ogun 1 Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko handed over a total of 1, 625 parcels Of Cannabis Sativa intercepted by the anti-smuggling operatives of the command to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The contraband, which consisted of a 780 units of neatly-wrapped coconut-sized parcels; 225 units book-sized and 160 bread-sized parcels were taken over by the Narcotic Commander in charge of NDLEA Idiroko Special Area Command, Adeyeye Olusegun in the spirit of inter-agency cooperation.
This is just as the anti-smuggling operatives of the command also confiscated a total of 2,002 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg being smuggled; 6,180 units of cutlasses; 6,375 littles of petroleum all under 27 days in this new year 2025.
Speaking during the handing over held at the NCS’ Centiry Quarters, Idiroko, Customs Area Controller for Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu said the contraband were intercepted across various the cross border routes under the command through intelligence-driven operations and total dedication of the operatives.
Speaking while rendering the year 2024 score card of his command, Shuaibu explained that other contrabands confiscated within the period under review included a total of 16, 712 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg, alongside 139,881 litres of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly referred to as petroleum.
Giving the breakdown of the seizures made in the period under review, which total Duty Payable Value (DPV) was put at N1, 267, 504, 035, Shuaibu said others included a total of 940 rounds of live ammunition; 586 bales of used clothing; 85 bags of imported flour; 3, 766 cartons of poultry frozen products, as well as 2, 150 used pneumatic tyres among others.
“These achievements are a testament to the commitment of our officers combating smuggling activities, protecting the economy and also safeguarding the well-being of the society”.
While reiterating the commitment of his command at not relenting in the war against smuggling in order to ensure security of the country, Shuaibu however,solicited the cooperation of members of the public in providing “timely and credible information” that can assist the Service combat smuggling and other economic crimes.
