Some of the seized items
The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo state capital, in performing its core mandates of playing critical role in promoting economic growth, ensuring national security, and generating revenue for the government has set the ball rolling in its anti-smuggling giant strides.
This positive impact has given birth to the apprehension of illicit goods with duty paid value (DPV) One billion, ten million, one hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred and eight naira only (N1,010,113,880.00) within one month of Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun’s assumption of office.
As part of the unit’s revenue recovery a total of Thirteen million, four hundred and fifty-one thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight naira (N13,451,848) was generated from Demand Notices (DN) within the period under review.
In a press release signed by R.Nche, Chief Superintendent of Customs CPRO for Zone ‘C’ said “As Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun displays his enforcement giant strides, unit records massive seizures within one month.
The release read in bits;
The new Controller of the unit disclosed this information during his first press briefing at the unit’s headquarters in Owerri which took place today the 17th of April 2025. Frowning at smugglers, he stated the damages of smuggling as he described it as economic sabotage to bring in prohibited goods into the country which he said will have negative impact on our local industries, and affect the well-being of individuals.
The anti-smuggling measures put in place by the new Controller of the unit as soon as he assumed office which is one of the core mandates of the service led to the interception and seizure of these goods namely; 725 Bales of second -handed uses clothing, 2762 Roles of stain fabric of 60 yards. 2589 Used Tyres. 233 Sacks of 2 kilogram of foreign Rice, 181 Roles of wall covering,102 Bottles of 75CL Diesel, 80 Jerry cans of 25L of PMS, 78 Jerry cans of 25L crude oil, 32 new Tyres, 25 Bales of Cannabis sativa, 24 Bottles of 150CL of Diesel, 14 Bags of 50KG foreign Rice, 3 Cartons of Redwine, 1 Sack of used shows, 1 Scannia Container body Truck with Registration number T 281 A2LA, 1 Mercedes Truck, with Registration number NKE 323 XE, 1 Mack Truck with Registration number XB654-BNY 2001, 1 Mack Truck with Registration number APP 808 XA, 2 X 40 Fit empty Container 5 Parcel of Cannabis loud.
The statement averred further that the Comptroller Bishir reiterated that no matter the intentions of smugglers and their patronizers the unit will not relent in carrying out its statutory functions which are backed up with intelligence-driven strategies by the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
The Controller of the unit while Commending officers/men of the unit during the briefing anchored his successes to focus, diligence, professionalism and decision to contribute his quota to national economy, by blocking all revenue leakages, enforcement of trade facilitation and taking charge of the nation’s entry points which is of uttermost importance to the unit.
In continuation he reinstated that the unit must work together to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) and the CGC BA Adeniyi (MFR) to succeed. He also called on traders and stakeholders to be compliant, as our officers are professionally trained to checkmate the activities of non-compliant traders and block likely areas of revenue leakages.
In our inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis sativa shall be handed over to NDLEA.
These timely successes and achievements are as a result of the purposeful leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, high-level of professionalism, commitment, and teamwork. He further added that the unit is also determined to sanitize the zone of any form of un-customs activities and facilitate legitimate trade.NCS is committed to the consolidation of successes achieved, collaborative engagement with critical stakeholders, and innovative ideas in its dealings to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in customs operations. The Controller used the medium to thank the sagacious CGC and his entire management team for their dynamic leadership styles and qualities.
Recalled that Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun took over the mantle of leadership on the 20th of March 2025. He swung into action to bring smuggling activities in Owerri and its environs to a minimal level.
The controller commended the media for their continuous support and for spreading the gospel. He called on Journalist not to relent. He urged them to continue with the advocacy and campaign against illicit trade within and across the nation’s borders stressing that Nigerians should support Nigeria Customs Service with the necessary information and intelligence gathering that will assist in effective discharge of their statutory functions.
