the FOU Zone ‘A’ boss, Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar
From Benjamin a ameh, Lagos
The Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Ikeja made seizures a fortnight ago from smugglers in Lagos axis over 8,000 bags of rice through its operatives of an anti-smuggling arm of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
While smugglers mourned the loss, the FOU Zone ‘A’ boss, Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar celebrated the seizure at Gbaji area of Badagry, crediting his gains to the marching order of the Comptroller-General of Customs Dr. Dikko Inde Abdullahi for the directive that rice smuggling through land borders should be effectively checked.
Speaking on the 50 kg parboiled rice bags, Abubakar also credited the feat to intelligence reports which resulted in the operatives 13-day vigil in the Badagry creeks, for the contraband which finally came in a wooden boat.
Vowing to put rice smugglers using the relevant border route out of business, he commended the Rice Millers Association (RMA) for their generous donation of some patrol vehicles to the Customs Service to complement the existing structure in the fight against rice smuggling and other un-custom goods
He acknowledged the cooperation of the leaders of the neighboring communities, particularly, the Gbaji Yeke, Chief Emmanuel Idowu Kuwakalu, who as the Baale personally vowed to continue to support the Custom’s campaign. to ensure that smuggling of rice through the land border was completely eradicated.
FOU boss applauded the Baale of Gbaji Kingdom, by offering desired supports via “intelligence sharing saying its command now more dynamic, and more aggressive in its campaign to stop the illegal importation of not only rice, but also other contraband items while calling on other various communities to emulate the patriotic gesture.
He confirmed the creation of a new squad, saddled with the task of enlightenment and sensitization of the people at the border areas and beyond on dangers of allowing their domain to be identified as smugglers’ haven.
“Our approach has paid off, because the team has been able to change the perception of the border communities who hitherto, were largely very hostile and antagonistic to security agencies, particularly Customs”, he posited, even as he further assured that he would continue to partner with other security agencies towards ensuring the effective eradication of all forms of smuggling along his domain.
In response to questions, the command boss highlighted that the seizure was effected by a patrol team led by CSC M.A Yusuf, which actually laid ambush for close about 13 days, following intelligence reports, before the smugglers actually walked into the net.
There it was revealed that the three commands FOU, Semme and Western Marine of the custom services are intensifying their observation collaboration and synergy to leverage on Intelligence Units, in a bid to ensure that officers of the various commands share the vision of the Dikko-led Customs management in curbing trade in illicit products.
