The professional wit of men of the Federal Operations Unit, (FOU) zone A, has led to the recovery of thousands of bags of foreign rice, pistols and expended bullets and cartridges from the smugglers in the early morning of Wednesday, during an enforcement operation at Ibese in Ilaro, Ogun state.
Ejibunu & the O/c Operations, A/Compt Abdullahi in Ibese
Controller of the FOU ‘A’ , Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, relying on credible intelligence had positioned his men on surveillance at the make shift depot behind Dangote Cement factory where the rice was warehoused.
FOU Boss at Ibese
Ejibunu stated that with the pistol, expended cartridges and bullets recovered, it was obvious that the smugglers were out to kill officers empowered statutorily to check the smuggling of prohibited goods into the country.
He however, pointed out that the customs cannot sit idly to watch its men slaughtered for no just cause.
Ejibunu had after the operational trip to Ibese- Ilaro briefed the press on the Unit’s activities for the month of February, 2022 as he pinpointed that 11 trailer loads of rice (6,749 bags) were seized with other goods with Duty paid value of N587.9 million.
Assistant Compt Muhammed (left) and his colleague at the briefing today
Other products that made the list include , 36,575 litres of petrol, 599 bales of second hand clothing, 906 cartons of frozen poultry products and 2001 pieces of used tyres.
Also 175 pieces of compressors, 180 cartons of foreign soap 285 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products, 13 Units of fairly used vehicles as well as bales of lace materials made the list.
Bales of second hand clothing
Ejibunu noted that revenue generated through recoveries of low value, transfer of value, wrong classification and public auction sales of petrol amounted to N79,067,560.75.
He said the south west zone has become too hot for smugglers to operate freely, noting that the fight against smuggling and smugglers needs the collaboration of everyone.
“We need credible information to successfully combat smuggling considering the overwhelming negative consequences.
Smuggling is a complete monster with a direct link to illicit drugs and drug abuse, armed robbery, kidnapping, balance of trade deficit, unemployment, increased crime waves, high mortality as a result of fake drugs and youth restiveness” He deposed.
Make shift Depot at Ibese
He however, warned smugglers to eschew smuggling and embrace legitimate trade or be ready to face the consequences.
He appreciated media practitioners saying, ‘ one of the greatest instruments that brings about development in any society remains information. You are an integral part of any development and that’s why I hold your profession in high esteem.”
