I keep wondering why a Nigerian will bring out more than N49m to buy a car and will refuse to pay custom duty. This is outrageous and I propose that any car seized because of this should be impounded forever.

In a press statement released on Friday, the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS announced some major breakthrough in its operations carried out by its men in the Idiroko axis of the Ogun area command with a series of seizures including luxury cars, rice, vegetable oil and other smuggled items.

See the press release below:
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It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Idiroko Axis of Ogun Area Command at this propitious time when we have set the ball rolling in our quest to mitigate the menace of smuggling to the best of our ability.

On the 7th February, 2018 between 0800-0900hours while on routine patrol along Ibeji River arroud – Idogo – Ifoyintedo axis of the Command, my Officers intercepted a Toyota Highlander (2014) suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria. In the process, an Officer received a life threatening injury from smugglers on his arm and fingers, although he is responding to treatment. Full scale investigation is ongoing to ensure that such mindless, irresponsible and unpatriotic criminals are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.

However, Officers will continue to exercise their functions in line with the rules of engagement with caution, but will respond appropriately on armed smugglers and economic saboteurs in a life threatening encounter.

The above event is pointer to the fact that the media, traditional rulers and eminent personalities should play a greater role in exposing the grave danger Customs Officers face in the discharge of their duties, especially in Ogun state and also to discourage the activities of their wards that indulge in smuggling and perceive such as a legitimate way of livelihood.

It is pertinent to inform you that, within the last two weeks, we have sustained the tempo promised in our anti smuggling drive. During the period under review, the tireless efforts by the Officers and Men of the Command yielded a total, 13 Tokunbo vehicles, 12 means of conveyance, 21 motorcycles, 1, 168 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each), 221 kegs of vegetable oil (25liters each), 5 sacks secondhand shoes and 2 sacks of secondhand bags with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N153, 858, 579, 153.00. at Idiroko axis of Ogun Area Command. Most spectacular among the seizures is a brand new Range Rover (velar) 2018 model seized and tagged “the seizure of the month”. The said vehicle has a DPV of N51, 285, 154.

Finally, despite the aforementioned event and given the tottering nature of the operational environment, we will not relent, we will continue to stand firm and resolute in discharging the statutory responsibilities bestowed upon us as a Service with dedication, selflessness and uncompromising commitment.

Thank you.

MAIWADA, A.A.
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS
FOR: CUSTOMS AREA CONTROLLER
OGUN AREA COMMAND.