Following the discovery of numerous smuggled items by the Ogun 1 Area Command, the acting comptroller general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, invaded the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta, on Friday.
Adeniyi, who was joined by the Controller of the Command, Ahmadu Bello Shuaib, claimed that the Command had seized 1,436 used pneumatic tyres, 53 bags, and 569 parcels of Cannabis sativa, totaling 1,179 kilogrammes, in just two weeks.
Along with other things, the Service seized 32 trucks used for transportation and 3,149 sacks of imported parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes, according to Adeniyi.
Speaking to reporters at the NCS’s Abeokuta headquarters, Adeniyi said his presence in Ogun demonstrated the NCS’s ongoing dedication to protecting Nigeria from potential traffic accidents and dangerous drugs, “as we continue to intercept these perilous goods.”
The importation of used pneumatic tyres from abroad, also known as Tokunbo tyres, alarmed the Acting Comptroller General.
“These are rubberized, air-filled protection rings that are frequently utilised abroad. They are regrettably deemed inappropriate for our highways. Numerous of these tyres have been used past the time period advised by the manufacturer.
“Good-quality pneumatic tyres are only safe to use for four years after the date of manufacture, say safety experts. Any use that goes beyond this time frame endangers the lives of drivers and poses a serious risk to them, he said.
Adebiyi also raised concern about the surge in marijuana and Indian hemp abuse, particularly among young people, in Nigerian society.
He emphasised the cunning methods used by weed smugglers, including crossing land borders, using waterways, and even using air routes.
However, the CG expressed his happiness 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 illegal narcotics.
The seized goods, whose Duty Paid Value (DPV), according to him, was N241,977,943, were discovered in a number of places, including the Papa-Ajegunle-Ilaro route, Imasayi-Joga road, Ijebu-Ode axis, and Odogbolu woodland path along the Ijebu-Ode road in Ogun State.
He emphasised that the seizures are evidence of the NCS’s reinvigorated resolve and thoughtful allocation of both personnel and material resources.
“Our dedication to safeguarding Nigerians from the bold deeds of daredevil smugglers is unrelenting. We are steadfast in our efforts to stop illegal trade, protect our roads from hazardous tyres, and shield our children from the devasting consequences of illegal substances, he said.
