Western Marine Command Made N110.1m In Q1 As The Command Rides Crest High Showcasing The Result Of It’s Anti-Smuggling Drive.
Lucky Akra
The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service rides crest high yesterday at Ibafon Apapa as the Controller showcased the result of it’s Anti Smuggling drive to the Media.
While conducting Journalist round the seizures, the Controller Western Marine Command, Controller AO Salefu said the
Western Marine Command in the first quarter of the year, from January to March, 2023 recorded 15 incidences of seizures that had a cumulative Duty Paid Value of #110,195,934.50 only.
While challenging his officers and men to do more, Salefu also recognized the efforts and sacrifices which has driven the WMC thus far. He recognized the effort of his officers and encouraged them to do more.
According to him,”I must also salute the commitment, dedication and bravery of our Officers and Men operating in the creeks and waterways’ amiss very risky and difficult challenges,”
Accumulative analysis of the seizures as stated by Compt. Salefu shows that:
1,519 bags of 50kg size Foreign Parboiled Rice.
8,825 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in 468 kegs of 25liters each, with
700 pairs of foreign used shoes.
20 used foreign ladies bags. 88 cartons of Caro White Cream (bleaching cream)
50 pairs of expired Tyres. 3 Outboard Boat Engines and 1Water Pumping Machines.
All items he informed, were seized at various intervals within the period under review.
Comptroller Salefu used the opportunity to appreciate the CGC,Col Hameed Ali(Rtd)and his management team.
He praised him for the opportunity and support given to him and his officers which he promised never to relent in his pursuit of economy saboteurs.
He said,”We must mention the unflinching support and motivation of the Management of Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali(Rtd) who has continued to provide all necessary support and logistics for our operations, for this we are grateful and assure CGC of our unrelenting fight against these economic saboteurs.”
The WMC Henchmen disclosed that
the Western Marine Command on the 28th of March 2023 and the 3rd of April received in addition to its fleet of boats four additional operational boats consisting of two gun boats and two logistics boat from NCS headquarters. All these are meant to enhance the Command’s operational efficiency, with needed equipment to fight the menace of smuggling on our Creeks and Water ways.
He therefore, warned all smugglers to abandon the illegitimate activity of snuggling and embrace legitimate trade as backed by law.
“I appeal to you to abandon economic sabotage and unlawful trade to embrace legitimate trade as WMC will not rest on its oars to rid our Creeks/Waterways of illegal trade practices and will continue to enforce Federal laws and policy restrictions.
The Controller also revealed that following enforcement operations, 5 suspects have been arrested and have been granted administrative bail pending when charges will be proffered against them in Court.
