Crime

Smugglers Attack Customs Officers, Security Operatives in Ogun

By Web News 769

Officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command and other security personnel on patrol have been attacked at Oja-Odan, Yewa North of Ogun State.

The attack according to the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Hammed Oloyede followed the interception of about three hundred and twenty bags of foreign parboiled rice.

According to him, the foreign rice was stockpiled in a building around the area.

Mr Hammed Oloyede said it was during evacuation of the said rice that some armed diehard smugglers aided by hoodlums attacked the patrol team.

He stated that the smugglers shot sporadically at officers injuring four Customs operatives, one soldier and five civilians assisting in evacuation with gunshots. 

He hinted that those injured were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment.

Mr.Oloyede explained that two of the hoodlums also sustained injuries during the gun duel with the arrest of a suspect and six motorcycles used by the smugglers.

He said investigation was ongoing to arrest more perpetrators of the barbaric act.

Wale Oluokun

Security

Customs Service Launches Proficient Team, Displays Seized Goods

By Web News 1182

The Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/ Osun Area Command has launched a proficient team code-named the “Exercise Task Force” in managing factories enlisted under the agencies.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo Osun Area Command, Mr Adamu Abdulkadir  stated this in Ibadan while displaying some goods seized from some  suspected smugglers.

Mr Abdulkadir said to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of service, customs had partnered sister agencies and traditional rulers of border communities to collectively play a part in the economic development and security architecture of the states. 

He said the agency had sharpened their intelligence, re-strategized, created new patrol teams and also drew a robust area of responsibility chart to help combat illicit activities. 

Displaying the seized imported goods, the Customs Area Comptroller said the officers accosted some suspected smugglers with over three thousand bags of imported rice,  two hundred and 21 cartons of imported dry fish, 9 sacks of Indian hemp, 6 bales of used shoes, and 21 bales of second hands clothing all valued at over two million naira. 

Mr Abdulkadir, therefore, reiterated efforts of the Customs Service to ensure the issue of smuggling became a thing of the past.

He called on those that are fond of smuggling to desist as the Command had declared zero tolerance against the criminal acts.

Mr Abdulkadir, therefore, called for more support from members of the public, especially people at the border areas of Oyo State to always support the Command by giving out useful information on how to clamp down on smuggling. 

Rasheeda Makinde

Security

Smuggling: Avoid taking innocent lives – Gov. Abiodun

By Web News 822

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the Joint Taskforce on Anti-Smuggling, comprising of men of the Nigeria Army and Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to be more civil in the discharge of their duties.

Governor Abiodun made the call at the Executive Chambers, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta while playing host to the General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigeria Army, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu.

While pointing out that some innocent people of the state had lost their lives as a result of stray bullets from the joint patrol on smuggling, Governor Abiodun urged the taskforce to curb smuggling without taking the lives of innocent citizens.

The governor gave the assurance that his administration would continue to support Nigeria Army and provide conducive environment towards improving security architecture across the state.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu appealed to the governor to give necessary information at his disposal to the Nigeria Army for optimum performance and effective service delivery.

Bolanle Adesida

Crime

Customs Partners Sister Agencies on Drug Trafficking

By Web News 1242

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to rid the country of illicit drugs and harmful substances.

The Customs Area Controller, Ogun one command, Mr Peter Kolo stated this at Idi Iroko while handing over some dangerous substances confiscated by the command to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. 

Mr Kolo explained that 3,165 wraps cannabis sativa in coconut and book sizes with 290 sacks of the same product as well as 41 packets of tramadol capsules worth two hundred and thirty four million, four hundred and seventy seven thousand, eight hundred and sixty naira were intercepted by men and officers of the command.

He also announced that the command recorded seizure of 143 prohibited items with the duty paid value of 77 million, 4 hundred and 98 thousand, 1 hundred and forty million naira in the month of February.

Mr Kolo said the sum of three million, one hundred and thirty-five thousand, eight hundred and twenty thousand naira was realized as fees from the sale of seized petroleum products and auctioning of some scrap metals.

The Ogun one Customs Area Controller maintained that the command would not be distracted from performing its duties in spite of attacks on officers by daredevil smugglers and hoodlums.

Mr Kolo renewed the appeal on traditional rulers and community leaders to continue to educate the youths on the dangers of smuggling particularly the smuggling and consumption of harmful drugs.

Olusegun Folarin

Crime

Prevail on youths to quit smuggling – Customs Service

By Web News 602

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, wants people in leadership positions to prevail on the youths to refrain from smuggling and other cross border crimes to further enhance the safety of lives and property at the border areas. 

The advice is coming on the heels of incessant attacks and violent encounters between suspected smugglers and Customs operatives in Ogun State, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property in border communities. 

The Customs Area Controller, Ogun One Command, Mr Peter Kolo who gave the advice said the Command would not relent in the efforts to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes were brought to justice. 

In a statement at Idi – Iroko, the Customs Public Relations Officer for Ogun Area One Command, Mr Hammed Oloyede said all Customs check points as well as structures and properties of other security agencies operating in the area were recently razed. 

He alleged that a syndicate of suspected armed smugglers and hoodlums had destroyed the items, including 2 buildings and many check points as well as 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles and original credentials and other documents belonging to Customs and Immigration officers. 

Mr Oloyede maintained that the attack on Security agents deployed along the roads between Olajogun and Ohunbe areas of the borderline in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state was in retaliation of the successful interception of a consignment of petrol being smuggled out of the country in 25 – litre capacity kegs. 

The Customs spokesman claimed that suspected smugglers had on Wednesday 10th of this month engaged a Joint Border Drill Operatives of the Command in a gun duel to prevent the seizure leading to the death of one person from Ohunbe community, Mr Tunde Alabe in the cross fire. 

He alleged that the suspected smugglers later barricaded the Oja-Odan -Obelle road in retaliation before launching the attacks.

Olusegun Folarin

Security

Customs Service Intercepts over ₦2bn Worth of Contraband Items

By Web News 2112

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Ogun Area One Command, says it has intercepted contraband items worth more than two billion naira in the last thirteen months.

The Customs Area Controller, Mr Peter Kolo made this known while presenting the scorecard of the command between January 2020 and January, 2021 to newsmen at Sentry, Idi- Iroko, Ogun state.

Mr kolo attributed the feat to series of coordinated efforts, including aggressive stakeholders engagement and management as well as the deployment of intelligence in all operations across the state coupled with the structural reorganization of the command.

He said one thousand, eight hundred and thirty items comprising foreign parboiled rice, poultry products, used tyres, second hand clothing, dangerous drugs, palm oil, and assorted cosmetic products were intercepted within the year under review.

Mr Kolo, who noted that the command would not relent in the fight against economic saboteurs in spite of the sustained attacks on the operatives of the command, promised to continue to engage, sensitize and educate the public on social/economic implication of smuggling.

He appealed to parents and guardians residing in border communities to prevail on their children and wards to desist from smuggling and attacks on security agencies.

Olusegun Folarin

Security

Impounded Goods: Customs Generates about Five Billion Naira in January

By Web News 4321

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Oyo/ Osun Area Command says it has generated revenue of almost five billion Naira through seizures of illegal goods in the month of January this year.

The seized items included nine Toyota vehicles valued at over three hundred million, ten motorcycles, valued at over one million naira, bags of foreign rice, valued at one hundred and twenty eight naira.

Others are sixty bails of second hands clothing valued at fifteen million naira plus, 246; pieces of used tyres valued at over three million naira, 8 twenty five litres of vegetable oil at the price of two hundred thousand, two hundred and fifty one naira and bags of cannabis while 220 kegs of premium motor spirit were also seized.

While showcasing the command’s efforts to newsmen at the its headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan, the Area Controller, Mr Adamu Abdulkadir said the success was recorded by the efforts of gallant officers and men of Oyo Osun Area Command.

Mr Abdulkadir stated further that the command had further enhanced its anti smuggling strategies by taking the battle to the door steps of the smugglers to ensure the business became uninteresting for them.

The customs boss noted that the command would track down any saboteurs, apprehend and prosecute them in accordance with the law of the land.

He said the command would always appreciate the efforts of other security agencies in collectively waging war against smuggling.

Mr Abdulkadir therefore called for continued collaboration form members of the public through sharing of information on how to nip smuggling in the bud.

Rasheeda Makinde

Security

Ogun Youths Protest over Alleged Extra-Judicial Killing by Customs Officers

By Web News 750

Some youths have stormed Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan

Abeokuta to protest against the death of their colleague, who was allegedly shot dead by the operatives of Nigeria Customs Service along Siun-Sagamu interchange in the state.

One of the youths, Mr Adewale Mara explained that four people, who sustained various degrees of injuries, were still in critical condition in  hospital.

Mr Mara called on state government to take urgent steps towards finding lasting solution to the extra judicial killings of law abiding citizens by Custom officials. 

Responding, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi expressed displeasure over the spate of extra judicial killings by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Mr Talabi said Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration would evolve more strategies, towards averting the recurring loss of lives and property of law abiding citizens.

Bolanle Adesida

Politics

OGHA Frowns At Killing Of Ogun Residents By NCS Officers

By Web News 661

Members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA, have again expressed displeasure over the gruesome killings of innocent residents by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in the border communities of the state. 

The lawmakers including, Mr Adegoke Adeyanju and Mrs Bolanle Ajayi who spoke under personal explanation during plenary In Abeokuta explained that the incessant attack had left the people of the state in fear. 

They called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to as a matter of urgency look into the activities of the men of the NCS especially in the Ogun West Senatorial District of the state. 

In a remark, the OGHA Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo also appealed to all members of the National Assembly from Ogun State as well as representatives of the state in the National Executive Council to collectively rescue residents from the over-zealousness of the customs officers.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Crime

We have made seizures worth over 500 Million Naira – NCS Ogun-One Command

By Web News 972

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded 439 seizures worth more than 500 million naira in Ogun State amidst the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic during the second quarter of the year 2020. 

The Customs Area Controller, Ogun-One Command, Mr Michael Agbara who made this known at the Idiroko Headquarters of the command also announced that more than 19 million naira was realized from the sales of non-perishable items confiscated during the period. 

Mr Agbara showing rice that smugglers tried to bring in with jerry cans.

The Customs Area Controller said suspected smugglers had devised several means of concealing contraband, especially rice which were hidden in car engines and motorcycle seats or poured into jerry cans and loaded under kegs of palm oil. 

Mr Agbara who noted that the borders were still closed to import and export said the command would not relent in promoting its core duties of revenue generation and suppression of smuggling as well as trade facilitation and protection of the society.

He appealed to residents to discourage the youths from engaging in smuggling activities noting that the continued attack on operatives of Nigeria Customs Service and other sister agencies would leave them with no choice than to defend their lives. 

He listed the seizures to include 11,841 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 130 units of vehicles with a 2018 Model of bulletproof Mercedes Benz and 39 units of motorcycles. 

Other contrabands disclosed by the Customs Area Controller were frozen poultry products, palm oil, vegetable oil and petroleum products, used tyres, second-hand clothing, footwear and cosmetics, fruits, insecticides and Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana among others.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Crime

Suspected Smugglers Attack Personnel of Nigeria Customs Service

By Web News 877

Suspected smugglers have attacked officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command, at Ilashe village in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdullah Maiwada in Abeokuta explained that the officers were attacked after the interception of thirty-five bags of smuggled parboiled rice of fifty kilogrammes each being ferried by a convoy of motorcyclists in the area.

The customs spokesman said the diehard smugglers mobilised themselves in numbers to launch the attack with weapons on the officers including an Assistant Superintendent of Customs Mr. Chidi Johnson, who was brutally matcheted with deep cuts in various parts of his body. 

He hinted that wounded officers were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Mr. Maiwada said five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently undergoing interrogation.

He appealed to the smugglers to stop the unpatriotic act of smuggling and the use of uninformed youths carrying out the nefarious trade.

Wale Oluokun

Agriculture

Customs Service Rejects Oyo Govt.’s Bid to Return Alleged Infested Rice

By Web News 805

The controversy trailing the 1,800 bags of rice given to the Oyo State by the Federal Government as palliative on Covid-19 took another dimension.

This followed the rejection of the rice by Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command Headquarters Ibadan to accept the return of the alleged 1800 infested bags of rice brought to it by the Oyo State Government.

Oyo State’s delegation led by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Jacob Ojemuyiwa was denied entrance into the premises of the Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command.

Addressing journalists on the development, Mr Ojemuyiwa noted that the state government had written a letter to the Nigeria Customs Service on its decision to return the alleged infested rice.

Mr Ojemuyiwa expressed shock over entrance denial into the Customs premises to return the rice.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state said the incident would be reported back to the executive council for further steps.

He however explained that the motive was not with any iota of mischief but an attempt to perhaps get better quality rice fit for consumption of the people.

Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of Oyo/Osun Area Command of NCS, Mr Abdullahi-Lagos Abiola said the command could not accept the rice as there was no directive from NCS headquarters in Abuja to that effect.

Mr Abiola maintained that NCS would not accept the alleged infected rice until there was proper communication.

Iyabo Adebisi/Rasheeda Makinde

Crime

Smuggler Dies in Shootout with Officers of Nigeria Customs Service

By Web News 700

Nigeria Customs Service in Ogun State says a smuggler had died during a gun duel with officers and men of the service along bush paths of Aselu and Iggua communities of Yewa North Local Government of the state.             

The Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service Ogun One Command, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement made available in Abeokuta, said the gun duel was triggered after the anti-smuggling patrol encountered a convoy of motorcycles ferrying smuggled foreign parboiled rice along the bush pathway.

He said the smuggling gang resorted to unleashing attack on the Officers with assorted dangerous weapons. 

Mr Maiwada explained Customs officers repelled the attack by the smugglers leading to the death of one of the smugglers whose remain had been deposited at a mortuary.

The Ogun Customs Area One spokesman hinted that the reinforcement teams also assisted in the evacuation of forty four bags of rice and two motorcycles abandoned by the smugglers to the Government Warehouse in Abeokuta for safe keeping and further investigation.

Mr. Maiwada then called on the people of the area to desist from attacking officers and men of the Nigeria Customs while caring out their official duties.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Fatal Shooting: Ogun NCS Clarifies Its Role

By Web News 813

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Ogun State Command, Area One says the death of a passerby at Agosasa, Ipokia Local Government Area of the state was due to the villagers’ connivance with smugglers to attack the officers with petrol bombs and other weapons during an operation.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the incident said only two persons were injured during the face-off between smugglers and the customs men.

Mr Maiwada stated that smugglers have continued to defy various means to continue their economic sabotage noting that the command will not relent at enforcing the ban on smuggling.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Police Command, Alhaji Abimbola Oyeyemi while also confirming the incident on phone said he was awaiting the brief on the incident from the Divisional Police Officer in Ipokia.

Wale Oluokun

Security

Customs Death: Gov. Abiodun Calls for Restraint in the Use of Arms

By Web News 672

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has called for restraint in the use of lethal arms by law enforcement officers in the State.

The governor made this known while intervening in the unrest that erupted in Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of the State, when a joint Task Force, comprising of the Military, Police, Customs, Immigration and the DSS had a faceoff with the youths of the community which resulted in the untimely death of an officer.

Governor Abiodun said he has been in contact with relevant authorities in the Army and the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, hinted that talks are ongoing towards apprehending the suspects who allegedly killed a uniformed officer during the crisis.

The statement said a manhunt has been launched on the suspect who also made away with the slain officer’s weapon.

The statement further explained that suspects arrested in connection with the criminal act are giving useful information that would lead to the arrest of the main suspect.

Governor Abiodun urged law enforcement agents to exercise restraint and be humane in carrying out their duties.

The governor also commiserates with the families of the slain officer and promised that no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstance of the crisis.

Wale Oluokun