News
Customs Seize N300m Worth Of Contraband
The Eastern Marine Command of the Customs Service has seized second- hand clothings valued at over N300 million naira from smugglers. Our Correspondent reports that the contraband goods are now secured at the Customs warehouse in Calabar. Addressing newsmen at the Calabar port, the Comptroller of Customs, Eastern Marine Command, Abdulkarim Husseni, said that seizure was made as a result of intelligent report that two locally-made boats carrying contraband goods were sighted at Ibaka Creek along Oron in Akwa Ibom state. According to him, “immediately I mobilized my team to swoop the area on October 30, 2009, which resulted to the impoundment of the two boats loaded with second hand clothing which is contraband in Nigeria.”
He said that the two ceased boats with the goods inside were brought to Calabar port for safe keeping in the Customs warehouse.
The Comptroller however regretted that the occupants of the two boats on sighting his men dived into the way and escaped inside the creeks. While commending the Comptroller-General of Customs for providing facilities which had aided his team, he said, “we are going to make sure that smugglers will never have their way again.” He regretted that the activities of the militants was contributory to the inability of his men to function effectively, but declared, “now that the President has granted them amnesty, we are prepared to track them down at all cost.” Alhaji Abdulkarim advised the smugglers to look for another business as Custom officers will no longer allow them to thrive in the smuggling activities.
According to him, ”now that we have enough boats and other facilities to work, we are prepared and committed to do our job more than before.” Also speaking, the Comptroller, Federal Operations Zone C, Mr. Kane E. Dede, said the achievement was recorded because of the support from the Comptroller-General of Customs.
The encouragement we have gotten from the Comptroller-General since his assumption of office cannot be measured, hence these successes, he said.
He described the seizure as the biggest in recent times due to the activities of the militants which had affected their operations, adding that, “but today, now that the water ways are safe for us to operate, we are ready for smugglers.”
Mr. Kane announced that another seizure has been made in Benin which is an indication that the officers and men of the Custom services are alive to their responsibilities.
On what will become of the goods ceased, he said, the Federal Government will decide after judgment would been passed against the items in the law court.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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