Story by Dili Utomi.
The commitment, determination and hard work being put in by the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service under the dogged leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi have continued to yield great results. The added assiduous and sagacious displays through the implementation of the policy of consolidation, collaboration and innovation in a bid to deliver on the core mandates of the Service have helped to increase performance.
These qualities have seen the Service beating all odds to churn out really impressive figures in terms of revenue generation and the seizure of contraband items.
The CGC was at the Port Harcourt Area 2 Command, Onne to brief the press about the latest hauls of different illegal items seized after some rigorous tracking, detaining and proper examination.
At the briefing, CGC Adeniyi revealed that “Recent intelligence and seizures have revealed a disturbing trend; Onne Port is increasingly being used as a destination for dangerous and illicit cargo. The scale and nature of these illegal importations pose a significant threat to our national security and the health of our citizens”.
His words “Today, we are here to showcase yet another series of significant seizures made by the diligent officers of the Area 2 Command. On display are twelve (12) containers of illicit goods intercepted through a combination of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and meticulous physical examination”.
These items were displayed at the occasion:
One (1) x 40-feet container: Containing 4,800 pairs of military/paramilitary camouflage rain boots and 67,320 pairs of various rubber footwear, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦923,040,000.
Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 562,600 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine and 3,150 pieces of chilly cutters, with a DPV of ₦4,716,573,846.
Three (3) x 40-feet containers: Containing 380,000 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 24,480,000 tablets of Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride, 5,350,000 tablets of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, and other items, with a DPV of ₦17,432,506,000.
Five (5) x 40-feet containers: Containing 892,400 bottles of 100ml cough syrup with codeine, 1,300,000 tablets of 50mg Really Extra Diclofenac, 7,250,000 tablets of 5mg Trodol Benzhexol, and other items, with a DPV of ₦8,128,568,295.90.
The interceptions bring the total Duty Paid Value of the 12 seized containers to a staggering ₦31,200,688,142.00.
CGC Adeniyi says that “This operation is not only a testament to the Area 2 Command’s vigilance but also to the effectiveness of our intelligence network and the critical partnerships we maintain with other security agencies”.
He added “I want to emphasize that this is not just a Customs issue – it is a national security concern that affects every Nigerian. We are therefore calling on all patriotic citizens to assist us in this crucial endeavour. We need your help in providing intelligence regarding those behind these nefarious acts and their intentions. Your information, no matter how small, could be the key to preventing a potential catastrophe. Therefore, effective immediately, we are implementing emergency protocols at Onne Port. For the next three months, we will be conducting thorough examinations of all suspected containers. If the owners do not come forward for examination, we will open these containers to verify their contents. This is a temporary but necessary measure to clean up the port and restore its integrity”.
CGC Adeniyi assures the business community and legitimate importers that this measure is not aimed at disrupting lawful trade, but that the goal is to create a safer, more secure environment for genuine business activities to thrive. He added that they will work to ensure that lawful shipments are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible during this period.
He warned those who may be tempted to continue with the illegal activities, that the Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with other security agencies, will bring the full weight of the law upon anyone found complicit in crimes against our Nigeria.
The CGC informed journalists that the seizures were made in strict compliance with customs laws, particularly concerning concealment, false declaration, and the importation of prohibited items. The illegal pharmaceuticals, including cough syrup and tramadol, he said will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in accordance with their Memorandum of Understanding, while the other items will be dealt with as per the legal frameworks governing our activities.
CGC Adeniyi says that he “deeply appreciates the officers and men of the Onne Command for the relentless efforts in safeguarding the nation”.
He vowed that “The Nigeria Customs Service under my leadership, will leave no stone unturned in our mission to protect the health and safety of Nigerians. We will strengthen our intelligence networks, enhance our inter-agency collaborations, and ensure that those who seek to harm our nation face the full weight of the law”.
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