The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested 20 suspected smugglers, including a fake Customs officer named Mr. Benson Otu. The announcement was made by Customs Area Controller Kola Oladeji during a press briefing in Lagos, where he also revealed the seizure of contraband worth N2,262,849,547 across Ogun, Ondo, and other southwest states.
Controller Oladeji highlighted the efforts to enhance efficiency and tighten the noose on smugglers in the South West through intelligence-backed patrols. He praised the collaboration with stakeholders and other services, including the Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security Services, and various customs associations, which have supported the fight against smuggling.
The recent operations led to 203 seizures with a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of over N2.2 billion. Items seized included 22,850 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 10,372 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 27 used vehicles, 2,152 cartons of foreign frozen products, 6 used trucks, and 625 kg of cannabis sativa. Additionally, N81,813,612.81 was recovered through meticulous documentary checks on goods with low duty payments.
Controller Oladeji also mentioned the arrest of Mr. Benson Otu, a self-proclaimed Customs officer who had defrauded several victims by claiming to be in charge of rice auctioning. His arrest followed reports from his victims about his illegal activities. Oladeji reiterated the NCS's commitment to seizing contraband and prosecuting offenders to discourage smuggling and uphold the law.
