Adejoke Adeleye, Abeokuta
In an efforts to curb the menace of smuggling of products from outside Nigeria by some unscrupulous and desperate members of the public who are determined to enrich themselves illegimately to the detriment of other Nigerians, men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun state Command have succeeded in intercepting some smuggled products around Idiroko axis.
The products which includes 1 brand new Range Rover (Velar) 2018 Model worth N51.3 million, 13 Tokunbo Vehicles, 12 means of conveyance, 21 motorcycles, 1,168 bags of foreign rice (50kg each), 221kegs of vegetable oil (25litres), 5 sacks of second and shoes, drums and 2 second hand bags, all valued at #154 million within two weeks in Idiroko axis of Ogun area command.
The Comptroller of Customs in the State Sani Madugu made this known in ldiroko Ogun area command while speaking with journalists about the achievements of the command in the last two weeks.
Madugu said the seizures of the New 2018 Range Rover is tagged “the seizure of the month of February”.
Comptroller Madudu also made it known that an officer of the command was put in a life threatening injury while on patrol along Ibeji River around Idogo to Ifoyintedo area by an unknown suspect.
Meanwhile,full scale investigation is on going to ensure that such mindless,irresponsible and unpatriotic criminals are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law. He added
He Also noted that a Toyota Highlander (2014) was intercepted in the axis.
Madugu maintained that “officers would continue to exercise their functions in line with the rules of engagement with caution,but will respond appropriately on armed smugglers and economic saboteurs in a life threatening encounter.”
He therefore charged the media, traditional rulers and eminent personalities to play a greater role in exposing the activities of smugglers.
His words, “The above event is pointer to the fact that the media,traditional rulers and eminent personalities should play a greater role in exposing the grave danger Customs Officers face in the discharge of their duties,especially in Ogun State and also to discourage the activities of their wards that indulge in smuggling and perceive such as a legitimate way of livelihood.”
He therefore promised not to relent and continue to stand firm and resolute in discharging the statutory responsibility bestowed upon us as a service with dedication,selflessness and uncompromising commitment in the area no matter the nature of the operation in the environment.