In his resolve to reduce smuggling through the Western waterways to the nearest minimum, Comptroller Paul Bamisaiye, the Customs Area Controller of Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has directed his officers to ensure to apprehend suspects involved in any Smuggling activity within their area of jurisdiction.
He stated this on Tuesday during a press briefing held at the command's headquarters in Ibafon Lagos where he also handed over 17 bags of seized cannabis popularly known as Indian Hemp to the representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Area Controller however, instructed his patrol team to disable smugglers by shooting their legs in order to facilitate their arrests, assuringb that any injured smugglers would receive medical treatment at the command’s fully equipped clinic.
In his word, “I told my officers that we are not supposed to kill but to shoot the smugglers on their legs. Our officers are marine officers, but they are not as skillful as the smugglers in swimming; therefore, they should shoot them and bring them to the command’s clinic for treatment".
The Area Controller underscored the determination of the NCS to intercept illicit items and improve the arrest of smugglers, urging those engaged in illegal trade to turn to legitimate business. He described smuggling as a societal menace and affirmed the command’s commitment to enhancing its anti-smuggling efforts.
Giving account of the recent seizure by the command, Compt. Bamishaye said the command intercepted 1,257 loaves of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 720 kg and valued at over 96 million Naira. He stated that the seizure occurred following credible intelligence about a boat on the high sea along Bar Beach on May 15, 2024. Additionally, on May 19, a joint patrol intercepted a wooden boat carrying 505 bags of foreign parboiled rice, worth over 59 million Naira on the Badagry waterways.
In his words, “At about 2300hrs on Wednesday 15 May 2024, a patrol team of Officers and Men of WMC at the Bar beach station of the Command received credible intelligence on movement of a boat on the high sea along the beach location carrying items suspected to be offending items. Upon receiving the information the team moved towards the described location and intercepted one fiber boat fitted with 200HP Yamaha Engine carrying sacks of the suspected items.
“In a related development on Sunday 19 May 2024 a joint team of Officers and Men of the Command while on routine patrol along Panko Creek, Badagry Waterways, intercepted one wooden boat fitted with a 25HP Yamaha engine carrying suspected contraband items and upon sighting our patrol Boats abandoned their Boat and dived into the water.
“A careful examination of the items being conveyed revealed Five Hundred and Five (505) Bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice having a combined DPV of Fifty Nine Million, One Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Naira (N59, 185,000.00) of both items and Means of Conveyance. The actions of these smugglers is a direct contravention of sections 245 and 254 of NCS Act 2023 which WMC is responsible for enforcing.
“In line with interagency synergy and the Comptroller General’s policy thrust, we have handed over the seized cannabis to the NDLEA".
Bamisaiye noted.
Receiving the drugs on behalf of NDLEA, the Acting Commander Narcotics, Marine Command, Bashir Magaji commended the Customs Service for its ongoing efforts against smuggling, highlighting the importance of their collaboration in maintaining law and order on Nigeria’s waterways.
He appealed to the public to avoid engaging in smuggling and illicit drug trade, which he linked to broader criminal activities such as banditry and armed robbery.
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