By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
The Customs Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Tolutope Ogunkua on Tuesday said the command has impounded a bullion van loaded with smuggled rice.
Addressing newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Customs Area Controller declared that ten other fairly used vehicles loaded with smuggled rice were also impounded by men of the command.
Mr Ogunkua said the bullion van was intercepted by men of the Oyo/Osun customs command at Saki axis within the command, adding that the arrest of the bullion van, meant for convening cash but now been used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice should send a serious signal to the smugglers in and around the Oyo/Osun command.
The Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun NCS stressed further that the command impounded 16 fairly used exotic cars, Two brand new Land Rover Discovery, one fairly used Man Diesel Truck and a truck carrying a smuggled brand new Honda Accord car .
“In keeping to this promise, the command initiated new anti-smuggling strategies which led to remarkable exploits evidenced in the seizures on display today which include, One Bullion Van loaded with Rice, one fairly used Rover, One fairly used Toyota Highlander, Two fairly used Toyota Camry, Two fairly used Volkwagon Golf, Two fairly used Mercedes Truck loaded with Rice, Two fairly used Nissan Land Rover, One fairly used Man Diesel Truck, Two fairly used Nissan Urvan loaded with Rice, Five fairly uses Toyota Hiace loaded with Rice, One fairly used Nissan Vannet loaded with smuggled imported Rice, Two fairly used Toyota Land Cruiser, One fairly used Mazda 626”he said
Mr Ogunkua gave list of other impounded vehicles to include “one fairly used Honda Accord Saloon, One fairly used Lexus GX470, One fairly used Daihatsu Atrai, One fairly used lite Ace bus, Two brand new Land Rover Discovery and a Truck carrying smuggled brand new Honda Accord”.
Speaking further, he lamented the attitude of some unrepentant Nigerians who are hell bent on smuggling goods to the country despite their continuous loss, adding that anyone arrested with smuggled items would be prosecuted and charge to court.
“It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose, not even the Federal Government’s visible efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production as well as the increase prevalence of expired imported rice with its hazardous health implications have touched their conscience to avoid rice smuggling”.
Advising Nigerians to at all times engage in legitimate businesses and shun smuggling, he said the command’s resolve to deal with the smugglers “remains unshaken more so now that the present management has directed thorough investigation with the view to prosecuting all those that will be found connected to this illegal act”.
“The arrest of a bullion van meant for convening cash used in concealing smuggled imported foreign rice should send s serious signal to these recalcitrant saboteurs of the Nigerian economy that there is no hiding place. We are determined to beat all their concealment patterns with our superior intelligence network. We have told people to pay duty, I can’t imagine somebody buying these kind of exotic vehicles and packed in the bush. We will continue to arrest them, if possible we will prosecute them. If you are arrested with fake documents, we will prosecute you and the agent”.
