By Rukayat Shittu
The Coordinator Joint Border Patrol Team North Central Zone, Sector 3 Ilorin, Kwara State, Compt. Olugboyega Peters says the unit has recorded forty-six (46) seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Twenty Nine Million Two Hundred and Seven Three Thousand Three Hundred Naira N29, 273,300 between August and December 2021.
The Coordinator during a briefing on Wednesday, at the sector headquarter office in Ilorin, said, the items seized included 550 live cartridges, 1,251 Jericans of 25 liters each of PMS (31,273liters), 751 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 9 used vehicles, 7 bales of second clothing, and 1 motorcycle used as a means of conveyance of PMS by the smugglers.
The NCS boss said, based on intelligence report, the sector intercepted a commercial bus around Y Junction, Adikpo in Benue state heading to Taraba state, and on searching the vehicle, two (2) black Bacco sacks were found to contain pump-action cartridges suspected to be smuggled into the country.
He noted, the ammunition, driver, and the suspect were arrested immediately and brought to Sector 3 Headquarters, Ilorin, Kwara State which after preliminary investigation, as the law of jurisdiction demands, were all handed over to Nigeria Police Force, Benue State for further investigation.
Furthermore, he explained that to avoid doubt, the Customs and Excise Management Act can 45 LFN 2004 (as amended) gives Customs officers so many powers amongst are:
• Section 46 give powers to seize goods
• Section 145 gives us the power to examine
• Section 150 power to search people
• Sections 158 and 167 empower Customs officers to patrol freely across the nation and makes provision for detentions, seizures, and condemnation of goods respectively.
• Section 147 and 149 powers to search premises without warrant and power to search vehicles/ships respectively.
Making clarifications on accident that happened along with Offa Garage in Ilorin as a result of brake failure of a truck laden with a plank (wood), he said customs officers who were returning from their routine patrol, passed by the scene of the said accident and was immediately alleged to be caused, saying it is unjust in the society
He appealed to the public to embrace legitimate means of livelihood and to avoid the smuggling of prohibited items that are inimical to attaining the vision of having a healthy and economically viable society.
However, Peters noted that the agency’s resolve to deal with perpetrators and saboteurs of this agenda remains unshaken.
Also in his address, he appreciated the magnanimous support from all the Heads of Agencies including Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) and his management team for giving two brand new jeep that will enabled the Sector to achieve greater results and combat the smugglers
