CUSTOMS: DRAWS NATIONAL ATTENTION TO DANGERS OF ILLICIT DRUGS


CUSTOMS: DRAWS NATIONAL ATTENTION TO DANGERS  OF ILLICIT DRUGS

By: Bisi Akingbade

The Nigeria Customs Service in it quest to safeguarding and protecting the well-being of citizens has drawn national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use of dangerous drugs   

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on Wednesday made this declaration during his visit to the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone 'A', Ikeja, Lagos.

Comptroller Adeniyi, addressing the journalists said based on intelligence gathering, officers of Federal Operations Unit,  flagged down DAF truck loaded with 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway.

His words "As part of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our society and protecting the well-being of our citizens, the NCS has once again demonstrated its dedication to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking. Last week officers of the Federal Operating Unit Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode Junction. An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

"NCS is yet again drawing national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use dangerous drugs. Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth. The misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges. 

He said that regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. 
"On our part we will continue to partner with the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians,

He noted that smuggling of rice and premium motor spirit compromise revenue and sabotage the economy.

"Despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on our economy, smugglers still attempt to smuggle PMS across the border. They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS. 

"The following seizures of both items were recorded. A total of 4, 252 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each) at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 Axis in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to takeout these strategic resource through Oja-odan axis in Ogun State.
"Other items seized include:: 291 Bales of Second-hand Clothing 57 Sacks and 4 Jumbo Sacks of Used Shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 Pieces of Rugs. Units of Vehicles and 170 pieces of used tyres

Adeniyi stated that 340 pieces of used tyres were seized within the first two weeks of August 2023 by the unit to  mitigate auto crashes caused by smuggled used tyres.

While answering questions on his experience during his visit to the western states customs command and challenges confronting his officers.

He said "my experience in those places has been very very impressive and very rewarding experience for me. Have had the opportunity to learn, have had the opportunity to interact very closely with my officers. Have had the opportunity to understand their challenges. Driving from Ibadan to Shaki alone make us understand what our officers go through if they make seizures and they are pulling those seizures back to ibadan.

"We saw the communities, we interacted with them and they told us their pains, they told us about those borders that are still closed. They told us that for the fact that  this situations  sometimes will increase the way of crime around all those places. So it has given us an experience that is robust and it has given us a lot of food for thought. And when we get to Abuja, these are all things that will constitute the inputs in fine tunning our policies and strategies to keep our border safe". He said. He emphasised.
 




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