Daniel Agbolade, Ibadan

Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in the last 11 months arrested no fewer than 10 suspects in connection with smuggling of some prohibited items into the country.

Area Controller of the Command, Mr. Abdullahi Argungu, made the disclosure in his maiden press briefing held at headquarters of the command in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Argungu who enjoined Nigerians engaging in legitimate businesses not to exercise any fear in going about their day-to-day activities, said suspects arrested in connection with the smuggling of prohibited items into the country are still awaiting trails.

He said, "Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with smuggling of prohibited items into the country in the last 11 months. We are having the ten suspects awaiting trails.”

Argungu added that the command in the last eleven months generated twenty one billion, nine hundred and fifty four million, two hundred and eighty six thousand, three hindered and eighty naira, ninety kobo (N21,954,286,380.90).

He said, "Sequent upon my resumption, I embarked on a familiarization tour of the command to sensitize O/C outstations patrols leaders and the entire officers on the need to re-strategize and re-invigorate our operations by utilizing modern anti-smuggling techniques in accordance with international best practice in order to achieve the laudable goals of the anti-smuggling campaign of Nigeria Customs Service.

"This has resulted in modest achievement as attested to by the under-listed seizures made by the area command from October 2018 till date.

"Eight used vehicles with duty paid value put at N20,180,876.39k, three thousand and ten 3010 (50kg) bags of rice with duty laid value put at N50,556,678.25k, six hundred (600, 25 litres) kegs of vegetable oil with duty paid value put at N13,537,125.00k, Canabis sativa (Indian hemp) with duty paid value put at 6,999,776.59, twenty five bales of second hand clothing with duty paid value put at N6,443,671.50k and thirty three means of conveyance with duty paid value put at N16,125,291.97k".

He added that federal government's efforts in reviving the nation's economy through local industries and strengthening security, especially at the nation borders were of utmost priority to the service.

He said, "The command would do everything humanly possible in accordance with the law to actualize the goals set by the government in this regard".
He stressed the need to restrategize and reinvigorate the operations by utilizing modern anti-smuggling techniques in accordance with international best practice in order to achieve laudable goals of the anti-smuggling campaign of Nigeria Customs Service.

Argungu said, "The law that prohibits importation of rice and used vehicles through the nation's border is not new, so those who claim ignorance of the ban have no excuse.

"Furthermore, due to the recent huge seizure of illicit drugs at the sea ports, it becomes necessary for us to intensify our efforts against illicit drug trafficking through the nation borders with a view to checkmating the influx of illicit drugs through our territorial boundaries.

"Finally, I enjoin patriotic citizens who engage in legitimate business not to entertain any fear for NCS is only concerned about bringing those who flout extant Customs and Excise law and regulations to book and enable those who engage in legitimate business to enjoy trade facilitation".