.Declares war against smugglers in Ogun
Michael Agbara,the newly deployed Acting Area Controller of Customs in Ogun State, has renewed the anti-smuggling battle with a vow to deal great blows to any form of illegality across the border.
Agbara, who is barely two weeks in office, has recorded seizures valued at N53,320,025 with a promise to keep on the onslaught from where his predecessor stopped
Addressing journalists during his maiden press briefing at Idiroko Border, Agbara gave a breakdown of the seizures He listed rice,vegetable oil, sugar,secondhand clothing, vehicles and petrol among items seized.
A breakdown of the seizures indicates 3,041 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 295kegs of 25liter vegetable oil,28bags of 50kg sugar,3 bales of second hand clothing,28 vehicles, 221 kegs of 25liter petrol, 7 units of motorcycles and 99 book packs of prohibited drugs suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the Indian Hemp has been handed over to officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Ogun State
Three trucks used as smugglers means of conveyance were also said to be in detention at the Ogun Customs headquarters in Abeokuta.
”I have gingered my officers. I just finished addressing them in a parade now. I have given them marching orders to sensitize other junior officers in their beats. Smugglers should relocate.
” I have dismantled most of the checkpoints on the roads. My officers are keying in because it as an ECOWAS project aimed at facilitating trade.
”Smugglers tried to attack our men with machetes and other metals but we overpowered them.We shall be meeting smugglers in their own fronts in the bushes and wont allow them disturb other road users.
”We are sensitizing the people through their traditional rulers. Whoever is attacking customs is doing it out of ignorance. I promise them, nobody will attack or kill my officers and go away freely” Agbara told journalists while showing them seizures made recently
Agbara who took over on April 17, 2018, announced that 4 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seized smuggled goods. He said, one is currently being arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abeokuta , adding that others will be charged too.
The Controller have within his two weeks in office, met with stakeholders like colleagues of Benin Republic, Commissioner of Police Ogun state, Alake of Egbaland,Director DSS, head of sister agencies in Idiroko Border. The visit is aimed at promoting synergy towards an effective and efficient service delivery.
Agbara, stressed the need
