The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, on Friday stormed Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital following the seizure of various smuggled goods by the Ogun 1 Area Command.
Adeniyi, who was flanked by the Controller of the Command, Ahmadu Bello Shuaib, said the Command, in two weeks, intercepted 1,436 used pneumatic tyres, 53 sacks, and 569 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, weighing a total of 1,179 kilograms.
The Service also seized 3,149 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, alongside 32 vehicles used for conveyance, among other items,” Adeniyi stated.
While addressing newsmen at the NCS headquarters in Abeokuta, Adeniyi said his presence in Ogun underscored the NCS’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria from potential road accidents and harmful substances, “as we continue to intercept these perilous goods.”
The Acting Comptroller General expressed concern over the importation of foreign-used pneumatic tyres, otherwise known as Tokunbo tyres.
“These are ring-shaped protective coverings made of rubber and filled with compressed air, typically used in foreign countries. Regrettably, they are deemed unsuitable for our highways. A significant number of these tyres have exceeded their recommended lifespan from their manufacturing date.
“According to safety experts, good-quality pneumatic tyres are safe for use for only four years from the date of manufacturing. Any usage beyond this duration poses a significant risk to motorists and jeopardizes their lives,” he said.
Adebiyi also expressed worry over the rise in the abuse of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as marijuana or Indian hemp, within Nigerian society, especially among the youth.
He highlighted the ingenious tactics being employed by the smugglers of weeds, including smuggling through land borders, utilizing creeks, and even resorting to smuggling via air routes.
However, the CG said he was delighted that, “our officers’ relentless efforts and unwavering dedication in Zone A, specifically the Ogun 1 Area Command, have borne fruit, leading to the interception of Cannabis Sativa” and other illicit drugs.
The seized items, whose Duty Paid Value (DPV) he said was N241,977,943, were intercepted at various locations, including Papa-Ajegunle-Ilaro road, Imasayi-Joga road, Ijebu-Ode axis, and Odogbolu bush path, along the Ijebu-Ode road in Ogun State.
He stressed that the seizures are a testament to the NCS’s renewed determination and strategic deployment of both human and material resources.
“Our commitment to protecting Nigerians from the audacious actions of daredevil smugglers remains unwavering. We are resolute in our mission to curb illicit trade, safeguard our roads from dangerous tyres, and protect our youth from the devastating effects of illicit drugs,” he said.
