The Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded 260 seizures worth N342 million in January.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of F.O.U Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Victor Dimka, who was impressed by this development, disclosed that the seizures were mainly general goods and vehicles, adding that this year is far better than last year when only 144 seizures were made on the same month.

On his plan to tackle smuggling the customs boss commended the comptroller general of customs for making their job easier by providing them with 40 Hilux patrol vehicles and 100 able customs officers to fortify the team and to beef up activities at F.O.U.

According to him, with this logistics in place to motivate us, we have no reason for not achieving good result in our anti-smuggling battle.

Besides, series of capacity building is going on in the service in order to develop officers, the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria customs.

Dimka, however, vowed to put his life on the line in fighting smuggling to a standstill, adding that four of his officers who were attacked by smugglers are critically ill in the hospital.

“These officers were shot by smugglers for performing their statutory responsibilities. We received hostilities from these smugglers on daily basis and the notorious places are ilara, Imeko and Ijoun villages in Ogun Suburbs”, he said.

We have taken several steps to educate these villagers on the inherent danger smuggling posed to both the economy and nation. Also that government might not be able to have a proper plan on how to provide amenities to its citizens where smuggling thrives”.

He, therefore urged everybody to join hands with Nigeria customs service to sensitise smugglers on the dangers of smuggling.