Customs Heightens Vigilance Against Yuletide Smuggling

Customs Heightens Vigilance Against Yuletide Smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ has intensified its efforts to combat smuggling activities during the Yuletide season.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, during a press briefing at the Unit’s headquarters on Monday, 30 December 2024, stated that the Unit had anticipated an increase in smuggling attempts during the festive period and had taken proactive measures to prevent it.

He said, “We are aware that some unscrupulous elements will capitalise on the Yuletide period, to carry out their illegal trade, and we at FOU Zone ‘A’, we are not relenting in policing our borders and the environment.”

He noted that the Unit’s efforts resulted in the seizure of over 2000 bags of foreign Parboiled Rice which was made possible through credible intelligence. He revealed that the smugglers were intercepted while attempting to bring in the goods through the border axis in Ogun state.

“We were not able to get anybody arrested because immediately they sighted us, they disappeared as usual. And I am happy to tell you that all these consignments were brought in here without firing a single shot at anybody. It was peacefully evacuated to our headquarters here”, the Comptroller stated.

Comptroller Oladeji commended the assistance provided by the Nigerian Army, particularly the 9th Mechanised Brigade under Brig. Gen. Matthew Oyekola.

“His men and officers have been with us since yesterday morning, and we can’t say anything but to say thank you for assisting us to secure Nigeria’s territorial borders,” he said.

The Comptroller emphasised that the Unit would maintain round the clock surveillance throughout the Yuletide period, ensuring a robust security presence despite the holiday season.