The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ in Owerri, Imo State has appealed to courts handling smuggling cases to expedite action and punish offenders to serve as deterrent to others.
The Comptroller of the zone, Mr David Dimka, made the appeal on Friday in Owerri in an interview with journalists.
He said that the zone had about 200 cases of smuggling pending in various courts within the South-East and South-South.
He said that despite the various successes recorded by the customs against smuggling, smugglers were unrelenting.
He explained that prosecuting and quick dispensation of cases of smuggling in the courts with adequate punishment to offenders would serve as deterrent to others.
Dimka described smugglers as `saboteurs’ of the nation’s economy, adding that smuggling is an ‘’ill wind that blows no one any good.’’
He warned smugglers and their agents to turn a new leaf and look for meaningful job.
The Area Comptroller said customs officers were now well-equipped, trained and motivated to deal with smugglers and their cronies.
He said that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has zero tolerance for smuggling and corruption.
“There will be no hiding place for smugglers and with the collaboration of sister agencies, we will win the war against smuggling in this country,” he said.
Dimka called on Nigerians to be change agents and collaborate with the customs in the fight against smugglers.
Discussion about this post