A maritime security expert Leke Oyewole, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to step up its anti-smuggling effort to curb the incessant importation of tramadol and other illicit drugs into the country.
Speaking with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY against the backdrop of 53 containers of tramadol intercepted by operatives of Apapa and Tin Can Island commands penultimate week, Oyewole who commended the officers for the rejection of the N150 million bribe which led to the arrest of the banned drugs, however noted that more of such imports still find their way into the country undetected.
He said, “I want to praise the Customs for the will of the officers that effected the arrest and refused to be comprised. They should be encouraged, so that many more arrests can be made. Otherwise, if we allow people to begin to resort to self-help, the kind of society will we see tomorrow, nobody will be able to live there. They have done so well this time around.
“But this is not the first time such things will be coming into the country. They come in regularly. It is a function of who detects it whether the person did the right thing by apprehending it or taking bribe, resorting to self-help and let go. We need to encourage them to do better.
Oyewole, who lamented the negative impact of tramadol on youths, said the incessant importation of hard drugs poses a serious threat to national security.
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