HIGH CHIEF NDUBISI COMMENDS NCS RENEWED CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF
ARMS AND UNWHOLESOME DRUGS
* Cautions Importers against circumvention of trade rules
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The intensified campaign against unlawful importation of arms and ammunition as well as unwholesome drugs into the country by the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to receive commendations from relevant stakeholders.
THE CG OF CUSTOMS, BASHIR ADEWALE ADENIYI MFR
The latest commendation for NCS superlative performance is coming from the National Vice President of Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), High Chief (Dr) George Ndubisi
In a statement he personally issued to The Prestige Blended Magazine, High Chief Ndubisi expressed optimism that the country in no distant time, would begin to feel positive impact of the Nigeria Customs aggressive campaign against proliferation of arms and
importation of illicit and unwholesome drugs, especially, in the area of insecurity and sundry criminalities.
NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, IMAN, HIGH CHIEF(DR) GEORGE NDUBISI
High Chief Ndubisi criticised those who for the sake of money, indulge in all manner of criminalities even to the extent of endangering the lives of their immediate family members. According to Ndubisi, a good number of lethal weapons that are smuggled into the country get into the hands of bandits, kidnappers and non state actors who use them to carry out criminal onslaughts against innocent and law abiding citizens, sack communities and unleash unimaginable degrees of mayhems as we hear and witness across the country almost on daily basis.
The National
Vice President of Importers Association of Nigeria- IMAN, in the statement, applauded the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for reigniting the passion and zeal of Officers and Men of Nigeria Customs Service towards curbing arms proliferation and peddling of illicit and unwholesome drugs.
LARGE SEIZURE OF CANNABIS BEING DISPLAYED BY CUSTOMS
According to High Chief Ndubisi, ” one of the major challenges we are facing in the country today is insecurity. kidnapping and banditary are on the rise because firearms and other lethal weapons are in the possession of unscrupulous elements who have unhindered access to illicit drugs. The astonishing level of criminalities we witness today can be attributed to drug abuse and proliferation of arms.”
CACHE OF ARMS INTERCEPTED BY NCS
” I want to commend the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service -NCS, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the renewed vigor and fresh impetus his administration has brought to the organization, the Customs Boss and his team have in the past one year, displayed high level of professionalism and patriotism by not allowing those firearms and controlled drugs find their ways into our states, towns and villages.”
” I want to urge those who indulge in these unpatriotic act to have a rethink and desist forthwith for the sake of humanity as they can also make good money through legitimate means.”
ANOTHER SEIZURE
Recall that after announcing the interception of a container laden with arms and ammunition at Onne Port, Rivers State, illegally imported into the country from Turkey, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi announced another interception of cache of arms and ammunition at Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, worth N270M.
The consignment, which was intercepted at the Cargo section of the MMIA, was also imported from Turkey with one suspect taken into custody.
Prior to that of MMIA, it was reported that the Service intercepted a 40-feet container which contained pump action rifles and ammunition worth N4.17billion .
Based on the number of risk factors associated with the importation, it became necessary for the Customs Service to carry out thorough examination of the consignment and uncovered 844 units of riffles and 112,500 pieces of live ammunition imported into the country from Turkey.
CUSTOMS DISPLAYING A HOARD OF SEIZED ILLICIT DRUGS RECENTLY
Not long ago, the Tincan Command of Nigeria Customs Service, under the stewardship of Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni, recorded a huge seizure of illicit psychotropic substances worth N4, 180,339,348.00(Four Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty Eight Naira only).
Addressing journalists, the Customs CG, Adewale Adeniyi MFR, expressed fear that the seized drugs are used as stimulants by criminals, further fueling societal unrest and instability. He also pointed out that proceeds from drug trade are often used to finance disruptions by non- state actors, posing a significant threat to our national security and economic stability.
Meanwhile, High Chief George Ndubisi urged Importers to always be 100% compliant when bringing in goods into the country and cautioned them against indulging in acts of sabotage as it could ruin their investments and even send them to jail or trigger health issues that could lead to untimely death. High Chief Ndubisi also advised freight forwarders against circumvention of trade rules and urged them to be law abiding as they go about their businesses.
Besides, High Chief Ndubisi cautioned members of Importers Association of Nigeria against involving in any acts capable of tarnishing the image and integrity of the Association, saying that the Association would not condone any act of sabotage as stringent sanctions and tough penalties await defaulting members.
