Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan
The effort of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command to rid the axis of smugglers and economic saboteurs has yielded another fruit as the command seized 15 vehicles loaded with vehicle wheels, foreign clothes and a MAN Diesel Truck concealing used tyres.
Conducting journalists round to see the smuggled items after a briefing in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Uku-Aka, disclosed that the vehicles were intercepted in Saki axis of Oyo State while the truck was seized along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Comptroller Uku-Aka said:” In keeping faith with the noble resolve of ridding the Command of unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in smuggling activities, the Oyo/Osun Area Command had initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits as evidenced in the arrest of 15 vehicles laden with assorted contraband goods with a total Duty Paid Value of N23,320,139 which are on display.
“The vehicles were used to conceal prohibited items notably second hand clothes, foreign rice and other contraband goods.
“The detentions were effected on Saturday June 17,2017 along Saki axis and this was done in synergy with the Headquarters Compliance Team and Customs Intelligence Unit of Oyo axis. The operation was based on tip-offs from the information network led by DSC Alajogun Joseph.
The Customs chief disclosed that the overall Duty Paid Value is N28,888,848.78.
Comptroller Iku-Aka noted that the Service is not interested in witch hunting or victimization of anybody who are into legitimate business, stressing that the agencies would not relent in the pursuit of smugglers and economic saboteurs.
Lamenting the nefarious acts, the controller said the smugglers’ activities were injurious to the economy and appealed to members of the public with information about smugglers, their collaborators and agents to always make such information available to Customs for necessary action.
