Hyacinth Chinwuba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) has realised the effectiveness of community partnership in crime fighting.
The community cooperation is part of fresh operational modalities for the actualization of expected results the Unit has set for its self.
Briefing the media on the latest strategy, the comptroller of the Unit Madugu Sani Jubrin said the Unit will effectively involve the communities where it operate.
“We made frantic efforts to improve on the Customs Community Relationship (CCR) as well as synergy and collaboration with critical stakeholders.
We believe that smuggling just like scavenging is a global phenomenon which requires the cooperation of all Nigerians particularly the media.
I believe that the press has a role to play in this campaign and I enjoin you to partner with us through mass education on the dangers of smuggling” Jubrin appealed.
The Comptroller noted that the Units concerted efforts has resulted to seizures of assorted prohibited goods valued at over fifty million naira (N50,000,000.00) only.
Giving a breakdown, Jubrin disclosed that 239 (two hundred and thirty nine) bales of second hand clothing valued at ten million, thirty eight thousand naira (N10,038,000.00) only,
1,120 (one thousand, one hundred and twenty) cartons of 950MW generators valued at thirteen million, four hundred and forty thousand naira (N13,440,000.00) only and 1,822 (one thousand, eight hundred and twenty two) bags Valued at eleven million, eight hundred and forty three thousand naira (N11,843,000.00) only, were confiscated as soon as he assumed duty.
Other seizures include, 336 (three hundred and thirty six) jerrycans of thirty six (36) cartons of vegetable oil valued at two million, four hundred and twenty one thousand, nine hundred naira (N2,421,900.00) only,
1,138 (one thousand, one hundred and thirty eight) cartons of frozen Poultry products valued at six million, eight hundred and twenty eight thousand naira (N6,828,000.00) only and 42 (forty two) parcels of Indian hemps Valued at two million, sixteen thousand naira (N2,016,000.00) only.
According to him, In line with Service protocol, the 42 (forty two) parcels of Indian hemp would be handed over to the appropriate agency of the Federal Government – namely the NDLEA.
This compelling gesture became pertinent in view of the need to enhance operational synergy with various agencies of Government for a sustained relationship.
He further disclosed that the Unit recorded four thousand, seven hundred and thirty three (4,733) different remarkable seizures, valued at forty five million, five hundred and eighty six thousand, nine hundred naira (N45,586,900.00) in just one week of his resumption, adding, “This portrays a lot of hope and expectation for the Unit and Service in general. I will not rest on my oars.
I am happy to inform you that in the early hours of today 17th November 2015, a patrol team led by Deputy Superintendent of Customs Jude Ohagwu intercepted a truck with one hundred and thirty eight (138) bales of used clothings Valued at five million, seven hundred and ninety six thousand naira (N5,796,000.00) only, ninety eight (98) pieces of used compressors Valued at nine hundred and eighty thousand naira (N980,000.00) only.
All the Seizures totaled six million, seven hundred and seventy six thousand naira (N6,776,000.00) only. This in addition to the figure reported above totaled fifty two million, three hundred and sixty two thousand, nine hundred naira (N52,362,900.00) only.
We also apprehended some suspects in connection with these seizures who we are currently investigating”.