By BON PETERS, Port Harcourt

The Nigeria Customs Service Western Marine Command says it has intercepted and seized contraband goods worth over N352 million. This disclosure was made Tuesday during a press conference by the Command’s Area Controller, Comptroller PN Ntadi at the Command’s headquarters in Lagos.

The Customs Western Marine boss also took time to explain to journalists while taking them round the Command, why he has embarked on the demolition of its surroundings, noting that the place over the years has become a security threat to the officers and men, taken into consideration that all manners of people including hoodlums have converted the nearby bridge as the place of business where all kinds of vices thrive, even as he was quick to express his resolve to uplift the Command’s physical structure within the short possible time.

Underscoring the importance of the seizures, Comptroller Ntadi insisted that with the level of security threats facing the nation, the time to safeguard the land borders and waterways is now.

Speaking on the seizures, Comptroller Ntadi said “in the course of our ongoing efforts to safeguard our borders, protect our economy, and uphold the rule of law. It is no longer acceptable to treat security lapses with levity especially now that Nigeria is contending with multiple Security challenges.”

He noted that over the past few weeks, the Command’s disciplined and dedicated officers have conducted a series of targeted operations along the maritime routes.

According to him,” these operations have resulted in the interception of various shipments of illegal and smuggled goods, which threaten the economic stability and social well-being of our nation.”

He put the total seizures to include: “2,017 bags of rice, 481 loaves of Cannabis Sativa,72 bundles of foreign textile, 7 bags of Sugar, 4 locally constructed fibre boats and 5 locally constructed wooden boats, which he said have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N352,952,200 (Three hundred and Fifty two million, Nine hundred and fifty two thousand, two hundred Naira)”

He added that the smugglers embark on such acts to evade duty payment, destabilize the local market and also pose health and social problems due to their trade in dangerous narcotic substances.

However, Compt Ntadi, gave a blow to blow of the seized items with their Duty Paid Value as follows:

“Two Thousand, seventeen (2,017) bags of Foreign Parboiled rice with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N212,995,200,00 (Two hundred and twelve Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, two Hundred Naira).

Seven (7) Sacks of 50kg Sugar with DPV of N672, 000.00 (Six hundred and seventy two thousand Naira).

Seventy Two rolls of Foreign plain material, with DPV ofN71, 280,000.00 (Seventy One Million, two hundred and eighty thousand naira). Four Hundred and Eight One loaves of Cannabis Sativa, with DPV of N50, 505,000.00 (Fifty Million, Five hundred and five thousand Naira).

Nine Boats with DPV of N17, 500,000 (Seventeen Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira)”

He noted that the seizures represented a significant blow to criminal networks involved in Illicit trade and smuggling activities while also reaffirming his Command’s commitment to protecting the borders and ensuring that lawful trade and commerce thrive within the Nigerian economy.

Highlighting his operational success, he attributed it to the motivation given to him and his officers by the Controller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, MFR psc+, through what he described as “enhanced intelligence gathering and improved collaboration with other security agencies like the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Marine Police and the Immigration Service.”

He added "We also owe our success to the deployment of more patrol vessels along the coastlines and inland waterways”, even as he promised his Command’s readiness to remain vigilant and proactive and continually update their strategies to counter evolving smuggling tactics.

His Words: “I want to urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illegal trade in our waterways. Our collective efforts are essential in safeguarding our country’s economic integrity and social order.”

Expressing his gratitude, Comptroller Ntadi praised the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Bashir Adeniyi, MFR psc+ and his management team who according to him, have been instrumental in supporting the fight against smuggling by providing critical resources and equipment to the Western Marine Command.

He reiterated that the support has “empowered the Command to achieve remarkable successes in ensuring that smugglers have no safe haven on our waterways, thereby creating a secure and thriving environment for legitimate trade.”

He also thanked other sister agencies like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Marine Police, and especially, The Nigerian Navy saying the synergy with the Customs Western Command has helped in the successes recorded so far and made their achievement laudable.

He assured that the Western Marine Command will not relent in its fight against smuggling and illegal activities, vowing, “We are committed to upholding the laws of our land, protecting our citizens, and ensuring that justice is served.”