The Ogun Area 1 Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday disclosed that it intercepted a total of 11, 358 bags of foreign parboiled rice being imported into the country between July and September, 2022.
This is in addition to the seizure of 1, 550 units of disused tyres, as well as 180 bales of secondhand clothing evacuated from a warehouse situated along the Lagos – Ibadan expressway in Ogun State corridor by the command’s anti – smuggling operatives who acted on intelligence for the operation within the period under review.
The command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde disclosed this while briefing journalists in Idiroko border, in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on the activities of his command for the 3rd quarter of the year 2022.
Disclosing that the seized 11, 358 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms represented about 38 trailer trucks load, the NCS Controller also gave the total Duty Payable Value (DPV) of the contraband as over N341 Million, with the sum of over N38. 5 Million being an amount generated as revenue for the 3rd quarter of year 2022.
Makinde, who expressed satisfaction in what he described as a reduction in the smuggling activities in the command during the past nine months, attributed the feat recorded by NSC to a successful stakeholders’ engagement and spirit of patriotism deployed by the NCS personnel in the discharge of their duties for the economic development and security of their fatherland.
“We were able to achieve this feat with the effective use of intelligence. Recalcitrant smugglers should therefore note that the command, through shrewd, intensive and choking anti-smuggling activities, driven by effective employment of timeous intelligence is all out for them”.
“It is important to note that activities embarked upon by the command are driven by patriotism for the economic development and security of the nation. Nigeria Customs Service operatives, mindful of the rules of engagement, will continue to carry out their legitimate duties as prescribed by the law”.
