By Steve Agbota
The Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector 2, South-West Zone of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Monday said it arrested 34 illegal migrants and seized 674kg of cannabis sativa and other contraband worth ₦556.431 million at Idi-Iroko and Imeko areas of Ogun State.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of the unit, Mohammed Salisu, disclosed that aside from the seized contraband, 34 illegal migrants were also arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for onward prosecution over illegal migration issues.
“In our steadfast commitment to combating smuggling activities, we intensified patrols, sustained surveillance activities, and enhanced intelligence gathering within the border corridors, which disrupted smuggling networks.
“While acting on the core mandate of the Joint Border Patrol Team, which is to combat smuggling and illegal migration, our officers remained committed to duty, which yielded the following seizures among others: 816 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each); 802 jerrycans containing premium motor spirit (25 litres each); 285 bales of used clothes; 61 jumbo sacks of used shoes; 674kg of cannabis sativa; 8 units of used vehicles.
“The duty paid value of all the seizures recorded within the last four weeks stood at ₦556.431 million, while ₦8,020,000 was paid into the federation account from the auction sales of premium motor spirit (PMS), which could not be warehoused due to its flammable nature. Two suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seized wares,” he explained.
According to him, in combating illegal migration across the international border, the service arrested 34 illegal migrants and handed them over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for onward prosecution.
“In our commitment to significantly disrupt the trade supply chain of illicit drugs, the Joint Border Patrol Sector 2 intercepted 674kg of cannabis sativa at Idi-Iroko and Imeko areas of Ogun State during routine patrol operations.
“The effect of having this quantity of drugs in circulation has devastating effects on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Illicit drug use is often linked to organised crime, violence, banditry, kidnapping, and health-related issues,” he said.
He added that the narcotics would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for investigation and further action.