By Balarabe Oshiafi
Deputy Comptroller and Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 2, South-West Zone, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mohammed Salisu Shaibu has provided an update on the sector’s activities for the third quarter of 2024.
The briefing stated that the zone which is covering the South-Western states of Nigeria, JBPT Sector 2 faces significant challenges due to difficult terrain and often hostile border communities. Established in 2019, the joint operation aims to tackle smuggling and cross-border crimes that threaten national and economic security.
According to the text of the press briefing by Deputy Comptroller Shaibu, a copy of which was made available to ExpressDay Newspaper on Friday in Abuja the key achievements within the quarter are:
“Seizures and Interceptions: Between July and August 2024, the sector seized a wide array of prohibited items, including:
– Premium Motor Spirit: 4,019 jerricans (30 liters each)
– Foreign Parboiled Rice: 2,633 bags (50 kg each) and 21 bags (25 kg each)
– Second-Hand Clothing: 868 jumbo bales
– Codeine Syrup: 790 pieces (100 ml each)
– Cannabis Sativa: 154 blocks of various sizes
– Pangolin Shells: 179 sacks
– Used Footwear: 135 sacks
– Ginger: 77 sacks
– Food Additive (Calcium Propionate E282): 45 bags (20 kg each)
– Vehicles and Equipment: 15 detained cars, 5 means of conveyance, 5 released cars, 4 trucks, 2 motorcycles, 1 tricycle
– Miscellaneous: 3 cartons of Matanti macaroni, 3 cartons of Matanti spaghetti”.
The NCS gave the value of the seizures thus:
“These items’ total Duty Paid Value (DPV) is approximately ₦1.38 billion, with an auction value estimated at ₦31.38 million”.
The Comptroller further gave a breakdown of the collaboration it carried out with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). ” In collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service, the sector intercepted:
– 125 persons refused entry
– 11 persons refused departure
– 18 trafficking victims
– 2 suspected trafficking agents”, he said.
On revenue collected within the period, Shaibu had this to say, “the sector generated ₦26,131,260 through debit notes issued for underpaid goods and vehicles”.
The NCS seized the opportunity of the briefing to reiterate the challenges posed by smugglers and urged them to desist from their nefarious activities.
“Despite the progress, challenges remain, particularly with smugglers attempting to divert Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to neighboring countries. The sector continues to enhance its intelligence efforts and is prepared to tackle these challenges with increased vigilance and collaboration”, Deputy Comptroller Shaibu noted.
He urged smugglers to desist from illegal activities and appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth organizations to raise awareness about the economic and security risks. He thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, MFR, for his continued support and the necessary logistical backing.
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