Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, through superior Intelligence made spectacular seizure of 19,000 bags of smuggled rice (equivalent to 38 trailers), from January to March 2021. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the rice is N307,891,696.00 (approximately N307.9million).
“Never in the history of this Command have we recorded this quantum of rice seizure. I commend the efforts of gallantry officers serving in the Command for these feats”
With the continued closure of our land borders to Customs operations, Import/Export which is our major source of revenue also remains closed. However, the Command was able to generate revenue from the auction sales of petroleum products, perishable items and auction sales of scrap metals. These activities are centered around generation of revenue, suppression of smuggling, facilitation of trade and protection of the society.
A total of 167 seizures of various contraband goods were made. These ranges from imported Foreign Parboiled Rice, Frozen poultry products, Petroleum products (PMS) made for exports, used (Second hand) Clothing’s, Cannabis Sativa, Vehicles and Motorcycles used as means of conveyance of prohibited goods, Tomato paste, Vegetable oils, Medicaments etc.
“Worthy of note is the seizure of over Seven thousand (7,000) bags of 50kg (Equivalent of about 12 trailer loads) of foreign parboiled rice made in one month”
“Never in the history of this Command have we recorded this quantum of rice seizure and I commend the efforts and gallantry of officers serving in the Command for this feat”
The combined duty paid value (DPV) of all seizures made in the month of March, 2021 amounted to One Hundred and Sixteen Million, Five Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Seven Naira, Zero Kobo (#116,586,607.00).
It is also important to note that the successes recorded in our operations in the Commands could be attributed by the good motivation from the Nigeria Customs Service Management which has boosted the morale of officers and had kept them in high spirit at all times.
“Aggressive stakeholder’s engagement by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) including visit and parley with over 27 traditional rulers, youth leaders as well as all Security and Government Agencies in Ogun State”
“Continuous deployment of intelligence in our operations i.e. recently a systematic arrangement of some crates of Coca Cola products to ingenuously conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each in Two (2) trucks was uncovered by the eagle eyes of the patrol officers in the Command. The Trucks suspected to be coming from Ilaro Border were intercepted along Denro-Olorunda-Abeokuta Road”
The intercepted trucks and the bags of rice in them had already been seized. While we commend the vigilant Officers for this feat, we wish to condemn in strong term attempts by smugglers to use branded truck of multinational companies to aid their nefarious activities.
The Area Command’s attention has been drawn to page 10 of ‘’THE NATION’’ Newspaper publication of 16th April, 2021 captioned, “Despite ban, rice smuggling thrives in Lagos, Ogun” and I wish to refute the claims and allegations of the reporter. It is a notorious fact that smuggling activities as we all know is a worldwide phenomena and Nigeria cannot be in isolation.
All over the world, security agencies only try to suppress but not totally eradicate smuggling from the society and greater suppression of these activities are achieved with greater support from the members of the public.
Why don’t the officers compromise these ones too? Let it be known to the public that apart from rice, various quantities of contraband goods are being arrested and seized by Customs operatives within the area on daily basis. During the first quarter of this year alone (January – March 2021), Ogun 1 Area Command arrested and seized about Nineteen thousand (19,000) bags (equivalent of 38 trailer load) of 50kg each of foreign parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Three Hundred and Seven Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety Six Naira, Zero Kobo (#307,891,696.00).
In view of the foregoing, I wish to state categorically that all the allegations and claims in the publication are not true, they are a distraction, mischievous, malicious and done with ulterior motive to derail the agricultural policy of Government and the massive investment in the local rice production of patriotic Nigerians and also intended to paint the Ogun 1 Area Command and certainly the Nigeria Customs Service black in the eye of the general publicin order to weaken the moral of the officers.
The Controller stated further that the Service in observance of the rules of engagement will continue with its onslaught on smugglers and other criminal elements in and around Ogun Border Communities.
“With the recent arraignment of four (4) suspected smugglers before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Ogun State on a Five (5) Count charges”
We shall continue to ensure that anyone caught indulging in smuggling activities and obstruction of our Officers while carrying out their lawful duties is brought to justice.
The Command will continue to dialogue, engage, sensitize and educate the public on Socio-Economic implication of smuggling as well as performing its statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with federal government fiscal policies.
“We wish to reiterate that the continued attack on operatives of the NCS and other sister agencies will not deter us from the performance of our legitimate duties”
“Let it also be known that activities embarked upon by the Command is a patriotic duty in the interest of national Security and Economic wellbeing of Nigeria”
The Command as well appreciate the community leaders, critical stakeholders and other security agencies who are showing concern and are collaborating with the Service for their continuous support.