Marine Customs To Embark On Community Approaches In Tackling Smuggling Activities At Sea

The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, has harped on the need for community relationship and information sharing among stakeholders and security agencies within the waterways , as part of efforts to curb smuggling activities at sea.

Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters who made this known on Friday in a chat with newsmen during the destruction of the poultry products intercepted in Lagos , urged smugglers to steer clear of his area as there will be no hiding place for them as patrols will be intensified under his watch.

“My major interest is to embark on customs community approach because we cannot do it alone. We need all stakeholders to assist us to curb smuggling activities.

He recalled that the familiarisation visit to outstations and villages within the creeks was a blessing in disguise noting that stakeholders have promised to support collaborate with the customs in fighting smuggling at sea.

The controller said the ongoing border drill by security operatives drifted the attention of smugglers from land to the creeks .

According to him, a total of 466 foreign parboiled 50kg bags of rice and 272 cartons of frozen poultry products were intercepted barely two weeks he assumed office as the area controller of the command adding that an additional 120 pieces of wrappers and 240 yards of plain materials were seized.
He said the seizures were made at Bera Creek in Adodo,Ogun State,Badagry waters, Yekeme waterways,T-junction thus brought to the command for proper documentation and destruction in line with the extant laws and guidelines.

The Controller added that the seizures had a total of N13,032,350.00 as the Duty Paid Value (DPV).

Peters said his officers will continually increase their patrol on waters to prevent smugglers from accessing the Nigerian markets through waters.

Peters appealed to the general public to embrace legitimate means of livelihood and to avoid smuggling of hazardous items that are practically inimical to attaining the vision of having a healthy and economically viable society.