•Zone A head seeks support against smuggling
A total 59 different contraband valued at N56,479,200 were seized by Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) between August and September alone in its renewed effort to stem smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade.
Buoyed by the feat, the new Customs Comptroller for Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A Ikeja, Amade Abdul, has solicited more support from all stakeholders, including the media, to enable him discharge his duties effectively.
He said this is in line with his tradition of reaching out to critical stakeholders and consistent with his belief in the relevance of the media for nation building to familiarise himself with everyone “for us to collectively pursue my mandate”.
Formidable team
Abdul disclosed that the FOU has responsibility to suppress smuggling and facilitate legitimate trade.
Beyond this, he added, “we are complimenting the efforts of the other Customs Commands in ensuring that there is total compliance with the fiscal policies of the federal government in terms of trade.
“Having taken cognizance of the herculean nature of this mandate, and appreciative of the need to maintain and sustain the rating of the Unit as a hub and flagship of anti-smuggling, it became pertinent for me to put measures in place to actualise it.
“Part of my strategy is intelligence/information gathering, collaboration/synergy with critical stakeholders, maritime operators, security agencies of the government and even the various communities where we operate.”
Abdul said on assumption of office in August, he met “a formidable team of committed and diligent officers/men who have the capacity and competence to decimate the antics of smugglers in our areas of jurisdiction.
“The Unit has doubled its anti-smuggling record and this can be empirically verified in terms of quantity and quality of seizures in our warehouses. Visit the warehouses and see things for yourselves.”
He confirmed that one cardinal aspect of his mission is to ensure that standards are not lowered in all areas of Customs operations and he has charged team leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Outreach to other agencies
The Customs management is “very emphatic” about collaboration with other agencies, he reiterated.
He said he has hosted the Commander, 107 Nigerian Air Force headquarters camp, Victoria Island, Lagos, Air Commodore N.E. Calmday, as well as a delegation from the Nigeria Association of Licenced Customs Agents, airport chapter.
To enhance collaboration, Abdul also plans to visit all security chiefs and other stakeholders in Lagos State, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
“With the support of all relevant agencies, I am going to surpass the anti-smuggling records of my predecessors and ensure the Unit maintains its enviable status as the hub of anti-smuggling.”
He promised to welcome ideas, comments, and opinions which come in good faith for the zone to succeed.
Contraband seizures
Abdul listed the activities of the zone between August and September to include
• 12 different seizures of 50kg parboiled rice, totalling 1,887 bags with a duty paid value (DPV) of N12,265,500.
• 33 different seizures of smuggled frozen poultry products totalling 4,854 cartons with a DPV of N26,211,600.
• Two different seizures of vehicles totalling four vehicles with a DPV of N9,990,000.
• 12 different seizures of general goods (used tyres, textile materials, vegetable oil, used shoes, fruit juice, spaghetti, et cetera) with a DPV of N8,012,100.
• A total 59 different seizures with a DPV of N56, 479,200.
The zone apprehended eight suspects in connection with the seizures.
Abdul reaffirmed his resolve to reduce smuggling through aggressive patrol of all flanks and flashpoints.
“We will be very ruthless with these economic saboteurs because we have a responsibility to protect the nation’s economy in line with the expectations of the federal government.”
