[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Area Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Services in Ogun State, Sani Madugu, narrowly escaped death when he was reportedly attacked by smugglers.

He was said to be returning to Idiroko area of the state from Abeokuta at about 8pm on Tuesday alongside eight personnel of the customs when the suspects attacked his convoy. Madugu, who narrated his ordeal to journalists on Thursday at the Idiroko Customs Headquarters, said the hoodlums took advantage of the traffic jam at Ijako axis to attack his convoy.

“We were caught in the web of a traffic jam at Ijako axis of Abeokuta-Ifo Road when the hoodlums came and attacked my convoy. They destroyed and vandalised our vehicles”, he said. The customs boss the convoy dispersed the hoodlums with a reinforcement, adding that his men exhibited maturity to avoid any bloodshed.

‘We refused to be provoked, we did not fire guns to avoid calamity, particularly because of innocent motorists and passersby. We have to call for reinforcement before we could leave the scene,” he said. Madugu, however, noted that the command would not relent in its resolve to clamp down on smugglers, describing the attack as a prove of efficiency on the part of customs.

“The attack would not discourage us, we shall not be intimidated. Attacking us shows that we are working and we are mounting pressure on them. We are always one step ahead of smugglers,” he added. The comptroller said the case had been reported to the police while investigation had commenced in order to apprehend the suspects.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the command seized 1,000 bags of rice and 200 kegs of vegetable oil, as well as confiscated some exotic cars believed to be brought into the country illegally in less than a week.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Comptroller, Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area II Command,Onne, Bashir  Abubakar revealed that Plans have reached advanced stage towards  making the eastern ports huge revenue  pining points among the  seaports in the Federation. He stated this when he received in audience members of the  maritime and Energy media  practitioners of Nigeria  (MEMPON) recently in Onne. He said the plans were in consonance  with the comptroller-General of custom, Col Hameed, Ali’s plans to adopt  international best practices in doing  business at the country’s sea points.
Abubakar, said that the issue of revenue  generation  would only be a reality, if importers from the  area  make use of the ports.He was of the view that if genuine  importers continue to make use of ports  elsewhere  in the country and outside the  country, the dream may be defeated.The customs arrow head,  noted that revenue was key so far as port business was concerned.He explained how quality  vessels and Cargoes now flood the eastern  ports,  adding that business activities in the  area have improved  for the best.Cargoes  have increased in value, the vessels imported now are of higher value”, he said.Stressing his  stance, on objectivity and transparency, he said that he had concluded  plans on how to improve the Onne Port.

To buttress  his point,  he hinted  that already  the custom House was under re-modeling to the tune of N54 million.
In his response, the  President of MEMPON, Dr John Raph, noted that his group was determined to contribute  their quota towards port growth in the Federation. He also praised, Abubakar  over his endless plans to take  the Onne Port and others to the next level.

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ompt.Mohammed Garba, Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service, who by any matrix, can be called an anti-smuggling czar, has vowed not to relent in the national assignment of ridding the country of contraband items, describing smugglers as economic saboteurs who are bent on circumventing the law. Interestingly, he has an unending catalogue of seizures and arrests made within his zone. The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has continued to strengthened its enforcement capacity to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the rage against smuggling in the zone. The Comptroller Mohammed Uba led proactive team has continued to clampdown on unrepentant smugglers who are working for personal gains, to the detriment of our economy.

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A led by Compt.Mohammed Garba has evacuated 59 assorted vehicles with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of one billion, seventy-six million, eight hundred and ninety-five thousand, seven hundred and seventy-two naira, two Kobo (N1,076,895,727.2) from a hidden house in Ikoyi and car marts in Festac area of Lagos state.The Customs Area Controller of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba who made this known in a briefing in Lagos Wednesday said that over 40 of the vehicles were 2017 models ranging from Toyota Prado Jeeps, Lexus Jeeps, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Camry, Coaster Bus, Toyota Hiace Bus among others.Compt.Mohammed hinted that the vehicles were currently under detention awaiting relevant Customs documents from the dealers within a grace period of one month.

Compt.Mohammed disclosed to news men that Some of the cars are bullet proof which require End User Certificates from the Office of the Security Adviser(NSA). Investigation will reveal further on those behind the clearance of these vehicles and must face the full wrath of the law. These vehicles alone have a duty paid value of one billion, seventy-six million, eight hundred and ninety-five thousand, seven hundred and seventy-two naira, two Kobo (N1,076,895,727.2) only”.

He further disclosed that six thousand, two hundred and six (6,206) bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each which was more than ten (10) trailers, sixty-seven (67) bales of second hand clothing, six hundred (600) cartons of foreign poultry products, thirteen (13) parcels of Indian hemp, four hundred and five (405) pieces of used tyres and fifty-four (54) kegs of foreign vegetable oil were also seized.

He said that two containers were also seized for contravening customs law. While one of the containers carried used fridges, 270 cartons of refined sunflower oil, 55 pieces of used gas compressors, 18 packs of juice and other assorted items as against cooking gas declared in the SGD, the other container was carrying 147 bales of printed wax and 168 of lace material as against new electronics declared in the SGD.

“These containers are seized for carrying contraband and entered under false declaration in order to beat the system contrary to the Customs and Excise Law Section 147. Also, a 1×40 container suspected to be carrying prohibited goods is under prohibition.“It is instinctive to note that a total of six (6) suspects have been arrested relating to these 120 seizures. The Indian hemp will be handed over to NDLEA for further action”.

The Controller stated that the unit through interventions recovered one hundred and forty-four million, four hundred and thirty-three thousand, five hundred and twenty-four naira (144,433,524) from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to circumvent the law at seaports, airports and border stations through wrong declaration, transfer of value, underpayment of duty accrued to the federal government of Nigeria within the weeks under review.

“Between 4th-31st October, 2017, the unit has intercepted various contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One billion, three hundred and fifty-three million, six hundred and seventeen thousand, one hundred and four naira, eight Kobo (N1,353,617,104.08) only.
Compt.Mohammed Garba said those who might want to test his proactive team resolve to maintain the new tempo of aggressive anti-smuggling operations should be assured of the management readiness to sustain the tempo.

Compt.Mohammed Garba, the anti-smuggling czar stated that his proactive team would sustain the tempo and increase it by acquiring more working tools to boost effectiveness.His experience in Customs has shown that a well equipped and motivated Customs officer can deal decisively with smugglers and smoke them out of their illicit business.

By: Grassrots Publishers