NCS Intercept 4,252 Bags of Rice, 5600 Litres of PMS, Vows to Eradicate Smuggling

Eromosele Abiodun

The Acting Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has warned Nigerians against investing their hard earned resources into smuggling activities assuring that the Customs will do what is possible to eradicate the menace.

He stated this during a press briefing at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja in Lagos to showcase the contrabands intercepted in the last two weeks.

Adeniyi urged patriotic Nigerians to continuously support NCS with helpful information that would aid its efforts to curb smuggling and arrest suspects.

On the seizures, Adeniyi said a total of 4,252 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg each) at Dangote/Imashayi Ogun State, Saki Axis Oyo State, Owode/Ado Odo in Ogun state, Idiroko/Ohumbe Ogun State, Okoko Mile 2 Axis in Lagos State and Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State were seized.

“Similarly, 5,600 litres of premium motor spirit were intercepted and seized when smugglers attempted to takeout these strategic resource through Oja-odan axis in Ogun State, “he added.

According to him, the seizures are part of the NCS’s unwavering commitments to safeguarding the society and protecting the well being of Nigerians.

He added that smugglers have continued to test the will and determination of the service to put them out of business.

“Smuggling of rice compromises our revenue and sabotage for our food security. Despite the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal on our economy, smugglers still attempt to smuggle PMS across the border. They met their waterloo in different operations conducted by officers of NCS,” he said.

While restating the service’s dedication to eradicating the menace of drug trafficking, the NCS boss added that officers of the FOU Zone A, acting on credible intelligence, flagged down a DAF truck close to Ijebu-Ode Junction where examination of the truck revealed the concealment of 299 cartons of codeine syrup along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“NCS is yet again drawing national attention to the danger posed by unrestricted access to the use of dangerous drugs. Codeine syrup is designated as a controlled item due to its rampant abuse by our delinquent youth. The misuse and illicit distribution of codeine-containing medications have given rise to grave security and public health concerns, contributing to a surge in addiction, adverse health effects, and societal challenges, “he warned.

“In response, regulatory measures have been implemented to curb its availability and unrestricted access. This underscores the importance of addressing this issue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and well-being. On our part we will continue to partner with the NDLEA and other relevant government agencies to curb the spread of the menace and protect the future generations of Nigerians,” he assured.

Other items seized include 291 bales of second-hand clothing, 57 Sacks and four jumbo sacks of used shoes, 486 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 190 pieces of rugs, five units of vehicles and 170 pieces of used tyres.

“These seizures are a fallout of our uncompromising position to strictly enforce the law and protect the lives of our people. The codeine syrup, which is reportedly being abused by mostly young persons in society, is associated with addiction and, in the long-term, results in anxiety, depression, memory loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys and brain. It is pertinent to note that the damaging effects of drugs have led to preventable deaths for consumers taking them outside doctors’ prescriptions,” he lamented.