From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta 

 

Operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted and confiscated 940 rounds of live ammunition concealed in sacks of cassava grits otherwise known as ‘garri’ smuggled into the country from the neighbouring Republic of Benin.

 The Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, made this known at the weekend while briefing newsmen at the Command’s headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State.

 Shuaibu, who described the seizure as “life-threatening ammunition,” added that other harmful substances and other prohibited items were also intercepted and seized by operatives of Ogun 1 Area Command.

 He informed journalists that, on Thursday, March14, 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 grits, commonly known as garri.

 The Customs boss disclosed that the Command had been on the trail of the cartel behind the smuggled ammunition for more than two weeks, from the Republic of Benin, before they eventually smuggled the item into the country.

 He added that during the trail of the cartel, the intel received revealed the level of surveillance mounted and security beef-up by the unscrupulous elements, to safeguard the items and evade arrest.

 Shuaibu said 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.

 

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“Furtherance to the above, 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.

“The items were intercepted at the creeks, border line and other strategic locations across Ogun State, through our intelligence network and 24 hours patrol/anti-smuggling activities by our operatives. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to N557,120,828.00.   

 

“We are pleased to state that, in recent times, we carry out our operations with zero casualties and that is a great achievement in view of the circumstances. We value the lives of our people and we try our best to safeguard it. I would like to state emphatically that our operatives bear arms to protect their lives where and when necessary; any threat to their lives will not be treated with levity,” the Area Controller stated.

 

He appealed to well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to join forces with the Command in its fight against smuggling of harmful substance, light weapons, arms and ammunition, stressing that the items posed great threats to the country’s national security and had the potential of destroying lives and properties within the shortest time possible. 

 

On the revenue drive of the Command,  Shuaibu said that from January till date, it generated a total sum of N24,283,788 as revenue, saying that the sources of the revenue collection remained baggage assessment and auction sales of petroleum products.

 

While appreciating the continuous support of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi and his management team for their significant role in enhancing the Command’s operations and contributing immensely to its achievements, the Ogun Customs boss commended the efforts of gallant operatives who are making the seizures, as well as the concerted efforts of the Customs Intelligence and Customs Police Units in enhancing the Command’s operations.