Customs Pledge Better Protection For Nation’s Economy

The acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo, Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Wale Adewole, has vowed to protect the nation’s economy and prevent the smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods.

Addressing newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan, he said the service had continued to intensify its anti-smuggling operations across its areas of jurisdiction.

He disclosed that its personnel intercepted 573 Nigeria Police Force crests, 92 yards of Police camouflage uniform fabric, a pistol, six pistol magazines, a pump-action magazine and 60 detonating cords in its anti-smuggling operations last month.

Adewole who expressed worries about interception of the Police-related materials because of its potential security implications, lamented that such materials could be exploited by criminals to impersonate law enforcement personnel, obtained unauthorised access to restricted locations or facilitate criminal activities.

“Of particular concern was the interception of Police crest and camouflage uniforms. The unauthorised possession and movement of security agency uniforms can create serious security concerns, particularly in view of the prevailing security challenges in the country”, he said.

According to him, the seizure demonstrated the importance of preventing security-related materials from being diverted into the wrong hands, stressing that the command would continue to pay particular attention to items with implications for national security and public safety.

Other items seized included 2,012 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 550 bags of 25kg foreign parboiled rice, 2,440 wraps of cannabis sativa, 1,150 used tyres, 101 used compressors and 48 packs of 225mg tramadol.

The list of intercepted goods also included 105 bales and 28 sacks of used clothing, 18 sacks of used shoes, 450 25-litre kegs of Premium Motor Spirit, equivalent to 5,000 litres, 33 three-litre bottles of foreign vegetable oil, and 30 bags of foreign sugar weighing 60kg each.

The command further seized 17 used vehicles, otherwise known as tokunbo vehicles, 10 means of conveyance and 10 containers of corrosive mercury.”

Adewole said the seizures recorded during the period had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of N4.1 billion.

He explained that the interceptions were part of the command’s statutory responsibility to protect the national economy and prevent the smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods.

The acting controller said the interception of corrosive mercury was also significant because of the danger posed by the substance when improperly handled, stored or transported.

He said uncontrolled movement of the hazardous material could expose members of the public to fire, explosion, injury and property damage, and, in extreme circumstances, loss of lives.

“The uncontrolled movement of such materials can expose members of the public to risks of fire, explosion, injury, property damage and in extreme circumstances, loss of lives,” Adewole said.

He said the interception therefore prevented potentially hazardous material from entering circulation and being handled by unauthorised persons.

Adewole attributed the seizures to the vigilance and professionalism of officers and men of the command, as well as the deployment of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

He said the command would sustain its anti-smuggling operations while ensuring that legitimate businesses and law-abiding members of the public were not subjected to unnecessary impediments.

Adewole added that the command remained committed to improving revenue generation while facilitating legitimate trade and sustaining the fight against smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage.

Adewole further assured residents and legitimate businesses within the command’s jurisdiction that the Customs Service would continue to strike a balance between enforcement and trade facilitation.