In a significant interception operation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has thwarted an attempt to smuggle 940 rounds of ammunition worth a staggering ₦557,120,828.00 concealed in sacks of garri (cassava flakes) at the Idiroko axis of the state....CONTINUE READING
Area Controller Ahmadu Shuaibu disclosed this during a press briefing held on Friday in Idiroko, Ogun State. He revealed that the operation, conducted on March 14 during an anti-smuggling operation along the border, led to the discovery of the smuggled ammunition concealed within sacks of garri.
Shuaibu elaborated that the Command had been tracking a smuggling cartel from the Republic of Benin for over two weeks. Intelligence efforts revealed the heightened surveillance and security measures adopted by the smugglers to safeguard their illicit cargo and evade arrest.
“The superior security network of the Command eventually aided the seizure, but we lost the suspects as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest,”
Shuaibu stated.
In addition to the ammunition seizure, the Command also intercepted 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa (hemp), 380 pieces of donkey skin, 304 bales of used clothes, and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among other items. These seizures, made across various strategic locations in Ogun State, were facilitated by the Command’s intelligence network and round-the-clock patrol/anti-smuggling activities.
Shuaibu emphasized the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to ₦557,120,828.00. He underscored the commitment of the Command to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel, stating that arms are carried by operatives solely for self-defense when necessary.
The Controller issued a stern warning to recalcitrant smugglers, assuring that their days were numbered and that they would face the full weight of the law. He urged patriotic Nigerians to collaborate with the Command in its fight against smuggling, emphasizing the grave threat posed by illicit substances, light weapons, arms, and ammunition to national security.
Shuaibu concluded by commending the continuous support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, and his management team, as well as the efforts of his operatives, the Customs Intelligence Unit, customs police Unit, sister agencies, and other stakeholders in enhancing the Command’s operations.
