The Oyo / Osun Command , Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday, said it has introduced new strategies codename “Excise Task Force”, in furtherance to strengthen its anti-smuggling capabilities.
The command also noted that the moves was aimed to manage the excise factories extensively , thus widen the dragnet to infuse such firms that have qualified to be enlisted under the Customs and Excise Control.
Controller of the command, Comptroller A.R. Abdulkadir disclosed this in a statement made available to DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA by its spokesman Mr. Kayode Wey .
Wey quoted Comptroller Abdulkadir saying that the strategy was aimed to take the battle to smugglers den through tactical raids and interceptions of smuggled items through the land borders.
The Area Controller maintained that the Oyo and Osun States Borders remain closed to any form of inward or outward trade.
He also recalled that the Command had inaugurated “Operation Fish Out” team to further enhance its anti-smuggling capabilities by taking the battle to smugglers den through tactical raids and interceptions of smuggled items through the land borders.
According to him, “Now, another proficient team has been set up codenamed the “Excise Task Force” to manage the Excise Factories extensively and widen the dragnet to infuse factories that have qualified to be enlisted under the Customs and Excise Control.
“These developments have further improved the performance and achievement of the Command on Revenue and Enforcement procedures.
“We have carried out our enforcement and anti-smuggling activities with utmost professionalism, caution and intelligence gathering.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the Nigeria Customs Service in the implementation of Government Fiscal Policies to help improve the Economic and Social welfare of the nation.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ibrahim Hameed Ali (Rtd.) has directed more stringent measures to further strengthen the interception capabilities of customs officers in corroboration with the extant laws and regulations guiding import/export procedures of the country while reiterating that that the Oyo and Osun States Borders remain closed to any form of inward or outward trade.
While harping on socio- economic development and the security architecture within the region, he stressed that the command entered into strategic partnership with sister agencies and traditional rulers from various communities within the states, pointing out that operatives of the service has not lost sight of the very important function of the fight against smuggling.
He added that the command has sharpened its intelligence, re-strategized, created new patrol teams thus drawn a more robust Area of Responsibility (AOR) chart to help combat these illicit activities.
“To ensure effectiveness and efficiency of service, we visited sister agencies, our outstations/outposts and patrol bases including the Traditional Rulers of these towns, such as Aiyegun, Igbojaiye (Ilero), Eruwa, Igbeti, Saki, Kisi, Iseyin, Ipapo, Okaka, Ago-Are, Oshogbo, to mention but a few to sensitize and seek the cooperation of all in playing a part in the socio-economic development and security architecture of the states.
“It has been a difficult time for the nation but in the midst of this, there are some unscrupulous elements who are still trying to derail the effort of the service in meeting up to its target and we have been dealing with them decisively.
“Notwithstanding the aforementioned, it is my pleasure to inform you that we have not lost sight of the very important function of the fight against smuggling.
“In line with Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004 (CEMA) which guides the operations of the service, we have conducted our duties with professionalism and efficiency.
“We invoke sections 147 and 151 of the CEMA with the power to search premises for uncustom goods and power to give rewards to informants who give genuine intelligence to help improve the capabilities of the command on anti-smuggling duties,”Comptroller Abdulkadir stated.
