Afeni Assumes Office As Acting NCS Controller In Ogun

Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Oludayo Afeni has assumed duties as the acting controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Borders.

In his remarks while taking over the mantle of leadership, Afeni declared that he is committed to bolstering inter-agency collaboration and minimising smuggling activities, promising to prioritise personnel welfare and professional development.

“It is a great honour to assume the leadership of Ogun 1. I am fully aware of the unique operational environment of the command, with its vast borders. I am also aware of the strategic importance of this command to the national economy and border security.

“I assure you to consolidate the gains already recorded by my predecessor and pursue continuous improvement in the area of efficiency, enforcement, intelligence-led operations, stakeholders’ collaboration and community relations.”

Earlier, the outgoing Customs Area Controller for Ogun Area 1 Command, Godwin Otunla, disclosed that contrabands, with duty payable value (DPV) worth N1.9 billion, were intercepted during the over seven-month period he held sway at the command.

Otunla spoke during the handing-over ceremony held at the Idiroko Borders in the Ipokia local government area of Ogun State.

The event was well-attended by heads of sister agencies including the Directorates of the State Security (DSS), Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS), the Nigerian Army, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), representatives of the Customs Service from the neighbouring Republic of Benin, as well as that of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among others.

He listed the contrabands intercepted by the NCS personnel in Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko during the period of he served at the command to include 50 sacks, alongside 5,666 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 19,525 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly referred to as petroleum; 7,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice, equivalent of 12 truckloads, as well as a 2021 model of Rolls Royce car.

He explained that the personnel demonstrated strong commitment towards the core values of the Service, which made the feat achieved by the command during his tenure possible.