The Ogun Area I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service announced the seizure of 940 rounds of live ammunition concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, fondly called garri.
The command also disclosed intercepting 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Indian Hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others.
The duty-paid value of the total seizure is said to have amounted to N557,120,828.00.
This is just as the command also said that between January and now, it has generated a total sum of N24,283,788 as revenue.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, disclosed this on Friday while addressing journalists in the Idiroko area of the state.
Shuaibu explained, “On Thursday, March 14 2024, while on anti-smuggling operation along the border line, the Command operatives intercepted smuggled 940 rounds of live ammunition ingeniously concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri in local parlance.”
He explained that the command had been on the trail of the cache of ammunition for more than two weeks, from the Republic of Benin, before it was eventually smuggled into the country.
Shuaibu stated that “during the trial of the cartel, the received intelligence revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beefed up by the unscrupulous elements, to safeguard the items and evade arrest.”
He added that the superior security network of the command eventually aided the seizure but lost the suspects, as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest.
Shuaibu disclosed further that “the command also recorded the seizures of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Indian Hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others.
“These items were intercepted at creeks, border lines, and other strategic locations across Ogun State, through our intelligence network and 24-hour patrol/anti-smuggling activities by our operatives. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to N557,120,828.00.”
The Comptroller appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians, to join forces with the Command in its fight against the smuggling of harmful substances, light weapons, arms, and ammunition.
He stressed that the items pose great threats to our national security and have the potential to destroy lives and properties within the shortest time possible.
Shuaibu hailed his men for their deep sense of patriotism and commitment to tackle those hellbent on sabotaging the national security and economy of the country.
He has, however, sounded a note of warning to recalcitrant smugglers that their days are numbered, promising that they will never go unpunished with their nefarious activities.
“We shall keep uncovering their antics, and very soon, they will be arrested and be made to face the full wrath of the law,” the comptroller said.