In a recent address to newsmen, Kolade disclosed that the Zone has intercepted various contraband, including cannabis sativa, raw materials for explosive devices, and other prohibited goods, amounting to a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.648 billion.
During the period from 25th July to 23rd September 2023, a total of nine suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures. Notably, the Acting Comptroller successfully recovered a sum of N54.244 million from demand notices raised based on identified infractions, resulting in a cumulative recovery of N1.634 billion.
The seized items included 417 sacks of cannabis sativa, weighing 9,194kg, and 627 compressed parcels of the same substance, weighing 627kg. Additionally, 9 sacks of explosive raw materials, 1,329 bags of smuggled foreign rice, 5 cartons of DSP Cough Syrup with codeine, an armored Bullion Van, 761 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing, 883 cartons of unregistered/expired medicaments, 100 cartons of various wines, 5,737 used pneumatic tyres, 335 cartons of smuggled foreign tomato paste, and 300 cartons of foreign spaghetti were seized.
Kolade emphasized the importance of intelligence and sting operations in these successful interceptions. He revealed that the rice was intercepted along the Calabar/Akwa Ibom axis and the Okada/Benin expressway. The cannabis sativa seizures occurred at Okada-Benin and Ewu-Auchi Expressway. The interception of used clothing took place along Umeikaa/Aba Road and Okada-Benin road. The cough syrup and unregistered medicaments were intercepted on the Benin/Asaba/Onitsha Expressway. The armored Bullion Van was seized along the Okada/Benin Expressway, and the wine and tomato paste were intercepted along the Ewu/Ibilo axis. The used pneumatic tyres were seized along the Cross River waterside and Okada-Benin Expressway.
Expressing concern over the smuggling of explosives, Kolade highlighted the potential security implications. He urged smugglers to cease their activities in the interest of national security and emphasized the consequences they could face if caught.
Furthermore, Kolade congratulated the Ag. Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, on his appointment, recognizing his dedication and commitment to the service. He assured that the customs officers would support Adeniyi to ensure his success, as his leadership style has already yielded positive results in operations.
“We will all make sure he succeeds as his leadership style has started yielding positive results in our operations. I thank the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service for their efforts so far in providing needed incentives and necessary logistics that aided our performance. To my dear colleagues, Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police, I must commend your prompt intelligence sharing, resilience and tenacity that brought about this stride “.
He called on journalists to join the Nigeria Customs Service in the advocacy campaign against the hazard of smuggling to the Nation’s Economy, and to all well-meaning Nigerians to support the service with necessary intelligence and information that could assist the Service nip in the bud smuggling in the interest of our fatherland.
The Comptroller however warned all economic saboteurs who plan to use the ember period for their nefarious acts to have a rethink as the Service will make sure they count their losses adding that “no amount of distraction will stop us from carrying out our statutory responsibilities not even in the face of attacks we encountered this month by some sponsored elements”.
