This was revealed by the Controller of the command, Comptroller O.Salefu at the press briefing on the activities of his command in Ibafon, Apapa Lagos.
He stated that the command made the seizures at various intervals within the period under reveal.
He affirmed that the seized items are: one thousand five hundred and nineteen (1519) bags of 50 kg size of foreign parboiled rice,eight thousand hundred and twenty five (8825) litters of premium motor spirit( PM’s), contained in four hundred and sixty eight (468) kegs of 25 litters each.
He said that sustained enforcement operations of the command had resulted in the arrest of 5 suspects who ,though, had been given administrative bail pending when they will be charged to court.
While appreciating the members of our host communities who together with their leadership remain a major source of intelligence gathering.
” I must also salute the commitment, dedication and bravery of our Officers and Men operating in the creeks and waterways amiss very risky and difficult challenges.
“Finally and most importantly, we must mention the unflinching support and motivation of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali(Rtd) who has continued to provide all necessary support and logistics for our operations, for this we are grateful and assure CGC of our unrelenting fight against these economic saboteurs.
On boat operation he added that the Western Marine Command on the 28th of March 2023 and the 3 of April received in addition to its fleet of boats four additional operational boats consisting of two gun boats and two logistics boat from NCS headquarters.
He appealed to smugglers to desist from unlawful trade and embrace legitimate trade. ” To smugglers, I appeal to you to abandon economic sabotage and unlawful trade to embrace legitimate trade as WMC will not rest on its oars to rid our Creeks/Waterways of illegal trade practices and will continue to enforce Federal laws and policy restrictions” he said ,adding that the command having had their operations boosted by the operational boats provided by the CGC,whoever that ” meets us on the water ways meets his Waterloo”
He called on the media to cooperate with the customs service for adequate and Vital information to suppress smuggling in Nigeria. “I call on the Media and general public to continue to cooperate with the Service by volunteering vital information that will help the service fulfill its obligations of suppressing smuggling in the Creeks/waterways and facilitate legitimate trade by the proper implementation of government fiscal policies”.
