The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has intercepted more than 2,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice at the Waterside area of Ogun State, as part of its ongoing efforts to curb illegal smuggling and protect local markets.
The Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, who disclosed this in Lagos on Monday, said the seizures were made through intelligence and surveillance conducted on border areas.
According to him, Customs operatives allowed the smugglers to offload their illicit wares before the rice was swooped on with the assistance of the Nigerian Army to avoid casualties.
He pointed out that no arrest was made and no shot was fired in the cause of seizure and evacuation from Ogun to the unit’s headquarters in Lagos.
Oladeji specifically thanked the 9th Mechanized Brigade of the army under Brig Gen Matthew Oyekola for their assistance in the fight against smuggling while describing the evacuation process as peaceful and seamless.
He added that his team is on a round the clock operation and that the yuletide period does not mean a holiday for him and his men.
In another development, the Lagos Free Trade Zone Area Command (LFTZ) of the Service said it generated N341 billion, surpassing its revenue target for 2024, even as the Command works at creating an enabling environment for investors to thrive.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Olarenwaju Olumoh highlighted this recently, stressing his commitment to also address the accommodation needs of its officers.
“As of 18 December, the command met the year’s target and generated a revenue of N341 billion, surpassing last year’s revenue of N74 billion”, the CAC, Olumoh stated, assuring that the challenges of accommodation would be addressed comprehensively.
“The issue of accommodation shall no longer be a challenge for our officers in the command. All thanks to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for graciously approving the acquisition of six units of duplexes. That has significantly reduced the burden of accommodation”, Olumoh stated.
The Command also assured of its sincere commitment and dedication to improving the quality of education in the community.
Consequently, it renovated three blocks of classrooms at the Roman Catholic Mission Primary School, Ibeju Lekki, demonstrating its commitment to community development.
