Abolaji Adebayo
The Ogun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three suspected smugglers and impounded some illegal goods.
In a statement by the area command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman A, the suspected smugglers were apprehended as the command recorded significant success in its anti-smuggling war.
The statement said the command on November 15, 2016, arrested one petroleum tanker filled with imported rice along Idiroko axis while 25 vehicles loaded with smuggled rice was also nabbed also along the same route.
According to the statement, on November, 21st, the command also intercepted one trailer carrying an estimate of about 500 bags of rice along Lagos –Sagamu interchange.
It said the uncustoms goods which were neatly packed were heading to Eastern part of the country to be sold in open market, adding that three suspects, Anthony Nwapa (60), Osunkwo Chukwu (32), and Hyginus Igbokwe (39) have been apprehended in connection with the seizure and detained in the Customs custody, while preliminary investigations are ongoing.
Other subsequent arrests made by the command in last one week, according to the statement are motorcycles used by smugglers as a means of conveyance, four vehicles arrested while smuggling 4000 cartons of frozen poultry products among others.
The statement explained that the vehicles, motorcycles and the rice are currently in premises of the command, awaiting evacuation to the Government warehouse, while the frozen poultry products have since being destroyed by burning and burial.
The command however solicits media and public support in reporting any act of smuggling activities by economic saboteurs as yelutide season approaches.
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