Seme Customs seized 152 Jerrycans of petrol, 7 vehicles, foreign rice, items worth millions of Naira during ENDSARS protest

Seme Customs seized 152 Jerrycans of petrol, 7 vehicles, foreign rice, items worth millions of Naira during ENDSARS protest

*Officers manned assigned duty posts despite the protest – Says Hussaini Abdullahi

(By Udeme Clement ):

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Seme Border Area Command, Comptroller B.M.Jibo and his officers have intercepted 152 jerrycans of petrol, Seven vehicles and foreign rice worth millions of Naira in duty paid value during the period of END-SARS protest in Lagos.

Our investigation revealed that the officers who displayed gallantry efforts despite the crisis and fear caused by the protest also intercepted jerrycans of vegetable oil and other prohibited items smuggled into the country through the border communities.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Seme Command, a Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi, confirmed the seizures.

Mr Abdullahi informed Journalists that aside from seizures recorded during the period of END-SARS protest, the officers manned all assigned duty posts and strategic areas of the border communities to curtail smuggling.

He explained, “Our attention have
been drawn to a misrepresentation of facts published on one newspaper of Wednesday, October 28, 2020. However, the motive of the writer to orchestrate such malicious report on a reputable newspaper known for upholding professionalism and ethics remains unknown.

“The statement alleged that officers of Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command and other Security agencies vacated Seme-Badagry road for fear of being attacked by Hoodlums and #EndSARS protesters, thereby creating free access for smugglers to perpetrate their unpatriotic act.”

He pointed out, “The Command wishes to state clearly that, the allegation is untrue and unfounded, as officers were not only at their various duty posts, but were reinvigorated in their anti-smuggling operations.

“This translated into seizures of the following items from October 12, 2020 till date, which falls within the period of #EndSARS protest: 396X50KG of foreign parboiled rice; 152X25jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol); 6X25Litres of Vegetable Oil and 7 units of smuggled vehicles. The above mentioned seized items worth millions of Naira in Duty Paid Value (DPV)”.

He stressed, “It is on this premise that the Command appeals to members of the public to disregard this misinformed publication built on fallacy, as such wrong information may affect the morale of officers who risk their lives day and night to protect our borders.

“To this end, the Command will continue to enforce the fiscal policies of Federal Government, provide professional and quality service to enhance economic growth and development “.