Some of the seized items with the CGC by the truck.
Story by Dili Utomi.
There appears to be renewed efforts by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to truly dedicate themselves to their primary roles of facilitating trade, generating revenue and of course discouraging of illicit trade. This can be deduced from the recent performances of the Service since the assumption of the role of Acting Comptroller General of the Service by Adewale Adeniyi over two months ago.
Mr. Adeniyi has been going from one Command to the other, speaking with officers and stakeholders alike and encouraging all to help the Service in better playing the statutory roles assigned to the Service.
The CGC addressing the press.
The CGC while addressing the press said “last week officers of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to the Ijebu-Ode Junction along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. An examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup”.
Codeine syrup is designated as a
controlled item due to its rampant abuse by mostly our 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. In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. This
underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to
safeguard public health and well-being. 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.
More pictures of some seized items.
During the press briefing at the premises of the FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday, the CGC added that “the following seizures of 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. Similarly, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to take out these strategic resource through Oja-odan axis in Ogun State”.
“Other items seized in the last 2 weeks 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, 5 Units of Vehicles, 170 pieces of used tyres and another set of 340 pieces of used tyres”. The tyres were seized because they were already used and were brought in stuffed one in the other and of course they are smuggled items.
The CGC concluded by saying that “we once again advise that any investment made into the smuggling business is meant to be a loss because we will keep battling these enemies of our country”. He appeals to everyone’s conscience in doing the right thing and in aiding the NCS with the right kind of information so that they can do their jobs efficiently and effectively.
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