The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of Nigeria Customs Service has impounded 3,326 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products valued at N17.9 million.
The Controller of the unit, Comptroller Dahiru Umar, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos by the Public Relations Officer, Uche Ejesieme.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Umar assumed office as the Head of the unit on January 12, 2016.
Umar said the seizures were effected in different locations under the supervision of the unit.
The controller said the unit was working very hard to change its mode of operation to suit the exigencies of the moment and to also ensure that it remains on top of the smugglers’ antics.
He noted that the renewed onslaught led to the interception of an articulated truck suspected to be used in conveying a large quantity of the smuggled frozen poultry products.
The controller described the team leader as a highly-committed officer whose contribution to the seizure assignments of the unit could not be quantified.
Umar also explained how smugglers used a truck purportedly meant for conveying alcoholic beverages to conceal cartons of the poultry products.
He said two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
According to the controller, investigations are ongoing to determine the level of involvement of the suspects before charging them to court.
Umar said the degree of complicity of the truck owner in the unlawful act would also be determined.
He said the poultry products would be destroyed after contacting other relevant agencies of government, adding that the command had dug the site for the destruction activity.
Umar said the command would deal decisively with smugglers in line with the mission and vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Colonel Hameed Ali, and the management.
Umar said: “The smugglers must expect a tougher onslaught on them because we cannot afford to fail in the discharge of our statutory mandate of suppressing smuggling.
“I have commenced courtesy visits to heads of critical security agencies of the Federal Government so that we can form a formidable front in the fight against smuggling.
“I advise smugglers in this zone to invest their money in more legitimate businesses and avoid smuggling, because the more you smuggle, the more we seize.”
Umar urged the public to oblige the service with useful information on the activities of smugglers.
NAN.
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