CUSTOMS: Western Marine Strengthens Anti Smuggling Drive With 4 Additional New Patrol Boats

The Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has disclosed that it received additional four patrol boats to support the existing watercrafts in furtherance to suppress smuggling activities within the inland waterways.

The beachcombing command of customs said it has added  two gunboats and two logistics boats from management of the service between March 28th and 3rd of April 2023 respectively.

 

Speaking at a press briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday , Customs Area Controller, Comptroller O.A. Salefu reiterated that a total of seven boats have been procured for the command adding that three other watercrafts are being expected from the manufacturer.

 

According to him, the other two seagoing vessels namely: MV Group of Nine and MV Customs Pride will soon sail again to complement activities of the additional ships in possession of the Western Marine Command.

 

He explained that the two seagoing vessels are currently under repairs and would soon be deployed to comb the creeks .

 

Salefu maintained that the amphibious arm of customs will continue to rid the creeks from miscreants and other criminal elements within the south western waterways noting that with the additional boats, officers and men of the command will continue to run smugglers out of their illicit business.

Comptroller Salefu noted that currently, some personnel from the command are undergoing training with the Nigerian Navy on maritime safety and security stressing that the service has continued to train and retrain officers and men on seafaring activities.

The Customs Chief affirmed that the command in the period under review recorded 15 incidences of seizures that had a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N110,195,934,.50k only, pointing out that the service has continued to show its unflinching support and motivation towards providing all necessary logistics for her operations.

On the seizures recorded within the three months under review, the Area Controller noted that the command recorded 1,519 bags of 50kg bags of parboiled rice, 8,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in 468 kegs of 25 litres each and 700 pairs of foreign used shoes.

Other items seized according to him, include: 20 foreign used ladies bags,88 cartons of Caro White Cream , 50 pairs of expired tyres and 3 outboard boat engine plus one water pumping machine.

He further disclosed that five suspects were been arrested within the period but have been granted administrative bail pending when charges will be proffered against them in court.

While reiterating activities of the command in the last three months, he stated that” All actions of our operatives is in line with the provision of sections 149 ( power to search) vehicle and ship) and 158 (power to patrol freely) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45LFN 2004 as amended “.

Continuing, he said “In line with the responsibilities conferred on the Nigeria Customs Service by provision of the CEMA Cap45 law of the federal republic of Nigeria LFN 2004, as amended the Western Marine Command continues to suppress smuggling along the south western waterways and creeks.”

By Roland Ekama