No fewer than 47 suspected smugglers have been arrested by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Owerri of Nigeria Customs Service in connection with illegal importation of sundry items, ranging from 1,617 bags of parboiled rice, 21 vehicles, pairs of shoes, 150 cartons of vegetable oil concealed in trucks with goods suspected to have smuggled.
Others are empty gas cylinders, as well as bales of second hand clothing and 1,314 cartons of imported frozen chicken.
No fewer than 47 suspected smugglers have been arrested by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Owerri of Nigeria Customs Service in connection with illegal importation of sundry items, ranging from 1,617 bags of parboiled rice, 21 vehicles, pairs of shoes, 150 cartons of vegetable oil concealed in trucks with goods suspected to have smuggled.
Others are empty gas cylinders, as well as bales of second hand clothing and 1,314 cartons of imported frozen chicken.
The Area Controller of the Unit, Victor Dimka disclosed this while displaying the items to newsmen last weekend within the premises of Enugu/Ebonyi/Anambra Command in Enugu tow that apart from 47 suspects apprehended, 17 others have been charged to court, while 4 others have been jailed by the court.
Dimka who put the Duty Paid Value of the seizures at N123,059,600.00, emphasized that smugglers have continued to devise means to remain upbeat in their illicit business and assured that his men being better trained, equipped, mobilised and motivated more than ever before, will continue to place an eagle eye on them to neutralise their antics.
Saddened that smugglers have stuck firm to their nefarious activities despite obvious knowledge of the consequences if arrested, the FOU Zone ‘C’ Area Controller reiterated “since smugglers have learnt to fly without perching, Customs Officers have learnt to shoot without missing.”
Dimka also warned individuals still engrossed in the act of smuggling to desist forthwith, stressing that once arrested, the full weight of law will be brought to bear on them.
“There is no hiding place for smugglers in Zone ‘C’ because we will continue to monitor them, follow them, challenge them and get them arrested”, he said.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Inde Dikko and his management for their sustained assistance to officers and men of the service, stating that this has continued to strengthen the performance of the unit.
The FOU Zone ‘C’ boss also extended his warm gratitude to the stakeholders of the Nigeria Customs Service who, according to him, have been complying with import procedures.
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