In Lagos, Customs Recovers N2bn, Seizes 21,000 Bags of Smuggled Rice in Nine Months
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has recovered more than N2bn for the Federation Account and intercepted over 21,000 bags of smuggled rice in the last nine months.
The outgoing Customs Area Controller of the unit, Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this when he received members of the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists on a farewell and courtesy visit to the command in Ikeja, Lagos.
Aliyu said the intercepted rice was equivalent to about 35 truckloads, adding that the unit also seized illicit drugs and other prohibited items during the period under review.
He attributed the achievements to the commitment of officers and the support of the Customs management, stressing that the unit had adopted a deliberate and targeted approach to combating smuggling.
“Our approach to tackling smuggling has been deliberate and targeted, relying heavily on intelligence-driven operations rather than random actions,” Aliyu said.
The outgoing controller also emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Customs Service and the media in combating smuggling and other forms of economic crime.
“We view journalists as strategic partners and critical allies in our fight against crime and smuggling, a challenge no single agency can tackle alone,” he said.
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Aliyu said although the Service was intensifying efforts to suppress smuggling, sustained collaboration with strategic partners, particularly the media, remained crucial to achieving lasting success.
“On a personal note, as a former member of the press, I am incredibly proud to stand alongside you,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NNMJ, Dele Aderibigbe, said the visit was unusual because the journalists were not at the command to cover an event but had come specifically to honour Aliyu for his service.
Aderibigbe described Aliyu as a media-friendly Customs officer and a professional partner who distinguished himself through integrity, accessibility and intelligence-led operations.
“We came here today just to say that we are incredibly proud of you,” he said.
He described journalists as the watchdogs of society, acknowledging that their responsibility to hold institutions accountable could sometimes make stakeholders uncomfortable, but stressed that their ultimate commitment was to the truth.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NNMJ Advisory Board, Sesan Onileimo, commended Aliyu for what he described as his integrity and ability to keep his word despite challenges.
Onileimo said Aliyu had built a strong relationship with maritime journalists during his tenure, describing him as a man who kept his promises.
By PRNigeria
