The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has handed over seized goods worth N1.72 billion to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and arrested six suspects.
This was disclosed during a press conference held at the unit on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, Controller of Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, emphasized that the handover was in line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fostering inter-agency cooperation and synergy.
Oladeji stated that FOU ‘A’ operatives have intensified surveillance at borders within the southwestern states of Nigeria to curb the activities of economic saboteurs, particularly in revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade.
He revealed that officers operating under the code name “Swift Sting Operations” have achieved significant milestones in anti-smuggling efforts over the past month.
These operations led to the interception of foreign parboiled rice, used vehicles, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), used clothing, charcoal, cannabis sativa, and Canadian loud. Additionally, six suspects were arrested for prosecution.
“The successes recorded so far this year were not achieved on a platter of gold. It took the painstaking efforts of our officers, who spent hours on patrol and surveillance at our borders, to make these seizures,” Oladeji stated.
According to him, the seized goods were confiscated across the Oyo, Ogun, and Seme border areas, as well as in the metropolis near Ogere. Further investigations into these seizures are ongoing.
He commended the collaborative efforts of sister agencies in the fight against smuggling and appealed for their continued support.
On revenue collection, Oladeji noted that the unit recovered N72.44 million through the issuance of Demand Notices (DN) due to irregular declarations of consignments.
He also praised the tools introduced by Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, including the Time Release Study (TRS), Advance Ruling, and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO).
These initiatives, he noted, have boosted investor confidence in Customs operations, leading to the disbandment of some patrol teams operating within Lagos metropolis to remove unnecessary trade impediments and create a business-friendly environment.
“Our unit will continue to engage, sensitize, and educate the public on the social and economic implications of smuggling while enforcing compliance with government fiscal policies,” Oladeji assured.
In response, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, Abdul Maiyaki, who represented the State Commander of NDLEA Lagos Strategic Command, received the seized goods.
He credited the successful operation to the collaborative efforts of both agencies, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by their leaders.
Maiyaki also disclosed that during previous seizures, two suspects were arrested, investigated, and prosecuted.
“We ensure that when suspects are involved, we step in. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to prosecution, seizures, and the public destruction of exhibits,” he stated.