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| Comptroller Micheal Agbara briefing media on Friday |
ABEOKUTA - Despite the lockdown order by the federal government to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, operatives of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun state command last week intercepted nine vehicles conveying smuggled items into the country.
The Customs Area Controller, Ogun Area I, Comptroller Micheal Agbara disclosed this on Friday while addressing journalists on the scorecard of the command for the first quarter of the year at the Idiroko border, Ogun state.
Agbara explained that, the Command Special Taskforce, intercepted seven SUVs Nissan Pathfinder and two Mazda cars fully loaded with smuggled parboiled rice.
He noted that, the proactive activities of officers and men in the command led to the remarkable seizures of categories of vehicles conveying smuggled items.
He equally announced that, the command also intercepted 176 sacks and 1,790 parcels of Indian hemp seized at different locations along the border areas of the state.
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| The compressed coconut packs of Indian hemp |
Agbara however added that, the command has generated a total revenue of thirty-seven million, eight hundred and seventy eight thousand naira (N37,878,000) from direct auction of seized 293,015 litres of Diesel and 19 Jerry cans of Kerosene containing 25kg each.
He maintained that, all the seized petroleum products were meant for illegal exportation to neighbouring countries in defiance to extant federal government policies.
"The Command Special Taskforce, intercepted nine vehicles (7 SUVs Nissan Pathfinder and 2 Mazda) fully loaded with smuggled parboiled rice. It is important to bring to the notice of the public that during the lockdown, some daredevil smugglers ingeniously explored the difficult terrain with SUV vehicles to convey smuggled items into the country.
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| The seized rice during the lockdown |
"The proactive activities of Officers and Men in Command led to remarkable seizures of such categories of vehicles conveying smuggled items. As a responsive and responsible Service, we remain resolute and focused in making sure that economic saboteurs are brought to their knees.
"The year 2020 is globally surrounded with health and economic challenges in which our dear country Nigeria is not an exception. Nigeria Customs Service and in particular, the Ogun I Area Command remain resolute and committed in ensuring that our critical functions of implementing Federal Government Policies geared towards safety and well-being of the populace remain unabated.
"It will interest you to know that within the period of 1st January to 31st March, 2020, we have generated a total revenue of thirty seven million, eight hundred and seventy eight thousand naira (N37, 878, 000.00) from direct auction of seized 293,015 litres of PMS, 625 litres of Diesel and 19 Jerri cans of kerosene (25kg each)."
Agbara therefore commended the synergy existing between its personnel and Officers of Operation Ex-Swift Response (OSR), FOU Zone ‘A’, CGC Strike Force, Sister Agencies and other stakeholders in the state.
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