Customs intercepts boat with 8,000 bags of rice at Badagry



 Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has intercepted a wooden boat along the creeks of Badagry laden with an estimated 8,000 bags of 50kg parboiled rice. Conducting journalists round the seizure at Gbaji area of Badagry, Controller of FOU, Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar, attributed the achievement to careful planning and logistics by the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Abdullahi Dikko Inde. According to a statement on Thursday by Public Relations Officer of the FOU, Uche Ejesieme, the comptroller pointed out that the seizure was effected by a patrol team led by M.A. Yusuf. The patrol team, according to the leader, laid ambush for the smugglers for almost 13 days following an intelligence report before the onslaught. The comptroller noted that the unit became more aggressive in this campaign to stop importation of rice through the land borders sequel to the meeting they had with the CGC and the management team. He stated that as soon as he arrived the unit from the headquarters, he created the enlightenment squad that was charged with the responsibility of educating and sensitising people at the border areas and beyond on the dangers of allowing their domain as smugglers haven. Abubakar stressed that the approach paid off because the team was able to change the perception of the border communities who hitherto were very hostile and antagonistic to security agencies, particularly the Customs. He commended the cooperation of the Gbaji communities which was exemplified in the comments of ‘Baale of Gbaji Yeke’ Emmanuel Idowu Kuwakalu, who pledged to continue to support the Customs in this campaign. He further stated that he would continue to partner with the security agencies in ensuring the eradication of all forms of smuggling along his domain. The comptroller of FOU commended the collaboration and synergy from the Seme and Western Marine Customs commands as well as the Customs Intelligence Unit.  daily Independent