Customs at Seme border records N182.8million seizures in few weeks
* As Comptroller Bello Jibo re-positions operational strategies
*/(Written by Silas Onuoha):
Photographs taken during the press briefing at Seme border:
The Seme Border Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has made 128 seizures with Duty Paud Value (DPV) of over N182.8million within few weeks.
The seizures include 1,716 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each),
1,148 jerrycans of premium motor spirit- PMS (25litres each) equivalent to 28,700litres,
24 units of smuggled vehicles,
17 Jerrycans of vegetable oil (25litres),
10 Jerrycans of coconut oil (25litres each),
3 motorcycles, 991 medicament(pains relief),
30 pieces of used tyres, 8 cartons of 25 bottles each of apetamin multivitamins syrups,
48 packages of (48X10X10) tabs =4, 800tabsX200mg of tramadol, 397 packages of 144 pcs (rubber condom), 395 cartons of different sizes (tin tomato), 332 pieces & 120 bottle of betadine mouth wash, 160 capsules (300mg), 100 sachets (150mg) of efferalgen paracetamol,
41 bottles (100ml) of paracetamol syrup,
5 bottles (250ml) of mealop syrup and
101 parcels of cannabis, among other items.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of the Command, Comptroller Bello Jibo, who took over the mantle of leadership at Seme border, disclosed this during a press conference with news men, yesterday.
The conference was organised by the Command at ECOWAS Joint Border Post, Seme-Krake.
Addressing news men at the border, Comptroller Bello Jibo, explained that he has re-positioned the operational strategies of the Command to increase the tempo of anti-smuggling drive within the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
This, he said becomes necessary to curb illicit trade and prevent offensive items from coming into the country through the border communities.
His assertion, “I am here to brief you about my short but eventful stay since my assumption as Customs Area Controller.
“In the wake to the recent END-SARS protest, the Command harnessed existing cordial relationship with the host communities at different levels through adequate and robust engagement with the aim of sustaining peace, tranquility in all nooks and crannies of the border area.
“The community was made to understand that NCS is a partner in progress and always ready to facilitate legitimate trade to enhance economic development.
“It is pertinent to state that strategies adopted, the unwavering synergy with the host communities and other security agencies translated into the seizures of the following items within the period of END-SARS protest. The items include 396 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each);152 jerrycans of premium motor spirit (25litres each); 6 jerrycans of vegetable oil (25litres each) and 7 units of smuggled vehicles”
The CAC emphasised, “In addition to that, the enforcement unit of the Command recorded an unprecedented progress in our anti-smuggling drive since my assumption as Area Controller in the last seven weeks.
“The above progress is an indication of a strong message to those who are not willing to embrace legitimate business. Officers and Men of the Command will continue to exercise their statutory responsibilities in the overall socioeconomic prosperity of the nation.
“To this end, I wish to express my appreciation to the community leaders, youths and other security agencies, especially the Military for their support, patriotism and collaboration.
“NCS will continue to facilitate and encourage compliant traders and at the same time police our borders effectively”.
