Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Joint Border Patrol Team intensified its anti-smuggling efforts in November, leading to significant seizures and arrests.
A total of 34 illegal migrants were apprehended, and a variety of contraband items were confiscated.
Among the seized goods were 816 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 802 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 285 bales of second-hand clothes, and other illicit items, including 61 jumbo sacks of used shoes, 674kg of cannabis sativa, and eight used vehicles.
Deputy Comptroller Mohamed Shuaibu, the coordinator of the operation, attributed the success to enhanced patrols, surveillance, and intelligence gathering along the country’s borders.
He said, “We have seen an increase in our ability to disrupt smuggling activities due to these measures, which have also helped reduce illegal migration and its negative impacts.”
Shuaibu further explained the broader consequences of smuggling and illegal migration, highlighting their contribution to economic destabilization, insecurity, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
He also underscored the Customs Service’s dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and security, aligning with the Federal Government’s zero-tolerance stance on smuggling.
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized goods amounted to ₦556.43 million.
Additionally, ₦8.02 million was raised from the auction of the PMS due to its flammability.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the illicit items, and the 674kg of cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation.
Shuaibu warned of the severe societal impact of drug trafficking, often linked to organised crime and violence.