The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, said last week that it intercepted a wooden boat on the creeks of Badagry laden with about 8,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice.
Conducting journalists round the seizure at Gbaji area of Badagry, the Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar, attributed the giant stride to careful planning and availability of logistics.
The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, said last week that it intercepted a wooden boat on the creeks of Badagry laden with about 8,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice.
Conducting journalists round the seizure at Gbaji area of Badagry, the Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar, attributed the giant stride to careful planning and availability of logistics.
The Controller noted that the unit became more aggressive in the campaign to stop the importation of rice through the land borders after the meeting with Comptroller-General of Customs; Alhaji Diko Abdulahi Inde and the management team of the Customs.
The Controller pointed out that the seizure was effected by a patrol team led by CSC Yusuf, M.A comprising other officers and men. The patrol team according to the leader laid ambush for the smugglers for almost 13 days following an intelligence report before the latest onslaught.
The Controller FOU commended the collaboration and Synergy from the Seme and Western Marine Customs commands as well as the Customs Intelligence Unit. He equally applauded the Military for providing complimentary security force which provided the needed impetus for evacuation of the consignments.
He stated that as soon as he arrived at the unit, he created the enlightenment squad that was charged with the responsibility of educating and sensitizing people at the border areas and beyond on the dangers of allowing their domain as smugglers haven. He stressed that the approach paid off because the team was able to change the perception of the border communities who hitherto were very hostile and antagonistic to security agencies, particularly Customs.
He stressed that the cooperation of the host communities which was exemplified in the comments of the Baale of Gbaji Yeke; Chief Emmanuel Idowu Kuwakalu, who vowed to continue to support the Customs in this campaign.
The Controller equally thanked the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria for their generous donation of 150 patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Custom Service to complement the existing structure for the fight against smuggling of rice and other uncustom goods.
He vowed to sustain the tempo to ensure that smuggling of rice through the land border is completely eradicated. He called on the various communities to emulate the gesture of Baale of Gbaji Kingdom and support the service through intelligence sharing/information.
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