By Stephen Ubbana
For the first time, a Customs Comptroller who has barely one month in office as an Area Controller has come out to tell Nigerians in no uncertain terms that the rate of ‘’illicit drug, particular Cannabis Sativa, popular, Indian Hemp, produced in the West African country of Ghana, being smuggled into Nigeria in recent times is too alarming.
The Customs Comptroller, who is the Area Controller of Oun I, Idiroko, may have known that he has nothing at stake as he begins his pre-retirement leave on December 7, 2024, but to speak out about the smuggling of illicit drugs into he country to put the various Customs interventionist Units across the country to be on the alert.
Given that the Ogun I, Area Controller, who had been working round the round on how to improve the Command’s monthly revenue generation since he assumed office last January may have focused his attention on how to frustrate the Illicit drug traffickers into the country through the illegal routes in Ogun state, leaving out the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ,a, Ikeja, under the close watch of Compt. Kola Oladeji, to have the upper hand in going after the foreign rice smugglers.
Going by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, road Map, Ogun, home state of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has 94 illegal routes used by the smugglers to carry out their nefarious activities between Nigerian and the neighbouring Benin Republic.
The Ogun I, Command efforts at containing the activities of the illicit drug smugglers appears to have paid off, going by the report card of the outgoing Area Controller in the11 months of piloting the Affairs of the Interventionist Command.
Hear him: It is with a sense of duty and commitment to the safety and security of the nation that I highlight the Command collective fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking’’ within the south western Ogun state. He noted that between January, 2024, to November 21, 2024, through credible intelligence and strategic operations the Enforcement officers of the Command had intercepted and seized substantial quantities of o Cannabis Sativa and Tramaking tablets, another brand of tramadol, described in Pharmaceutical circles as very dangerous to human health.
The seizure of the illicit drugs may have sent a message to the dealers, who operates between Nigeria and the West African countries of Ghana and Benin Republic that it is no longer business as usual. The Customs Comptroller, may have shocked Nigerians when he disclosed that the intercepted and seized illicit Cannabis drugs consist of 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 217.7 Kg. This is in addition 362 packs of Tramaking tablets of 225 mg each, which Valuation experts had put w Duty Paid Value of, DPV, at N117,587,405.00.
Describing the Ogun I, Command, Idiroko, illicit drugs seizure between October 13, 2024, and November 12, 2024, as very remarkable, the Customs Comptroller, who could not hide his feelings had said that the Command made a total of 1,373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing 1,337 Kg and 362 sacks packs of Tramaking tablets of 225mg abandoned at various locations in the state, including the Abeokuta axis.
The Tramaking tablet smugglers may have abandoned the illicit drugs for fear of playing into the hands of Compt. Ojo’s officers who were said to have been stationed at strategic locations in Ipokia, Yewa North, Yewa South and Imeko Afon, particular, the state to ensure that nothing enters or leaves the country.
Informed sources told The Value News that officers stationed at Igannkoto Area of Yewa North Local Government Area and the Imeko Afon axis, were said to have made much of the Cannabis Sativa seizures.
An elated Compt. Ojo, who is happy that in his last lap in the service the Command under his Leadership has made landmark illicit drug seizures, in its operations, reiterating that ‘’it is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS, to safeguard the health and well-being of Nigerians and uphold the country’s Rule of Law’’.
He noted that with the seizure of the illicit drugs from the barons, the Command have successfully disrupted the supply chain of the drugs, thereby mitigating the risks these substances pose to the youths, families and the border Communities. Given an insider information, the outgoing Ogun I, Area Controller, averred that the seizure of the illicit drugs would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from other security and intelligence agencies and informants from the Local Communities.
The Customs Area Controller may have said it all when declared that they are ‘’deeply grateful for the synergy that has been fostered among all the stakeholders in security framework of the Command’’.
The Ogun I, Area Controller , who is on the last lap in office, may have put smiles on the faces of other security agencies personnel at the Idiroko border, when he stated that in line with the service standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration, was said to have handed over the seized Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol tablets to CN Olusegun Adeyeye, , Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Idiroko, Special Command for ‘’further investigation’’.
The Ogun I, Customs Chief, who could not hide his feelings had said that ‘’this step not only ensures the continuation of due process but underscores the Command’s transparency and Commitment to justice’’. Applauding the officers and men of the Command for their’’ vigilance and courage’’ in making the illicit drug seizures, Compt. Ojo, may have used the opportunity provided in the handover of the drugs to NDLEA, to issue a strong warning to those engaged in the nefarious trade of trafficking on drugs and smuggling of other Contraband, particular, foreign parboiled rice, fairly used vehicles, bales of second hand clothing and pneumatic s to desist from such and embrace genuine trade as’’ the Command remain resolute and uncompromising’’ in making the seizures.
He was said to have sounded it loud and clear that the Ogun I, Command and the entire Customs Interventionist Units, across the country, will continue to employ all Lawful means to thwart any attempt to smuggle prohibited items through the country’s borders, which many believes are very porous. The Customs Comptroller may have alluded to the support Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Comptroller General, in providing the enabling environment for the officers to do their job without any loss of lives.
Given the Comptroller General’s policy of Collaboration with other industry stakeholders, and to strengthen the Command operations, enhance intelligence gathering, the Ogun I, Customs boss was said to have told those that cares to listen that , that’’ the Command will continue to work closely with other relevant agencies ‘’to combat all forms of smuggling and criminal activities in the state ‘’.
