Gift Barry-ObaThe Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko command has intercepted 940 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside bags of cassava flakes also known as Garri.
The command on Friday during a press conference noted that the live ammunition where smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
Hameed Oloyede, the command spokesperson disclosed that the suspects had abandoned the contraband and escaped through the bush path to evade arrest.
โThe Ogun 1 Area Command of the Service made a seizure of life threatening ammunition, harmful substances and other prohibited items. On Thursday, 14th March 2024, while on anti-smuggling operation along the border line, the Command operatives intercepted smuggled 940 rounds of live ammunition ingeniously concealed in sacks of cassava flakes, commonly known as garri in local parlance.
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โ The superior security network of the Command eventually aided the seizure but lost the suspects, as the items were abandoned by the suspected smugglers who absconded in a bid to evade arrest,โ Compt Shuaibu stated.
The Comptroller of the command, Ahmadu Shuaibu, stated that poultry products, Cannabis, donkey skin, bales of used clothes worth N557million were also seized by the command.
โThe Command also recorded the seizures of 123 sacks and 3,172 parcels of cannabis sativa, commonly known as Indian Hemp; 380 pieces of donkey skin; 304 bales of used clothes; and 910 cartons of frozen poultry products, among others.
โThese items were intercepted at the creeks, border lines and other strategic locations across Ogun State, through our intelligence network and 24 hours patrol/anti-smuggling activities by our operatives. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the total seizure amounted to N557million.โ
The Customs boss while assuring of the arrest of the smugglers, appealed to Nigerians to join the command in the fight against smuggling of harmful and illicit substance.
Meanwhile, the command said it generated N24.283million as revenue from January till March 14th, 2024.
โOn the revenue drive of the Command, the CAC reported that from January till date, the Command generated the total sum of N24,283,788 as revenue. He emphasized that the sources of the revenue collection remain baggage assessment and auction sales of petroleum products,โ Oloyede stated.
