… As Comptroller Balogun Records Giant Strides against Smuggling
By Kelechi Nwaucha
The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has generated a total of thirteen million, four hundred and fifty-one thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight naira (N13,451,848) from Demand Notices (DN) within one month of Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun’s assumption of office.
The command’s achievement within the period in review also include the seizure of illicit goods with duty paid value (DPV) of one billion, ten million, one hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred and eight naira (N1,010,113,880.00).
This was made known by the new controller of the unit, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, during his first press briefing at the unit’s headquarters in Owerri on April 17, 2025.
Describing smuggling as economic sabotage, Comptroller Balogun noted the negative impact of prohibited goods on our local industries, and the well-being of individuals.
A press release by the CPRO FOU Zone ‘C’, CSC R Nche, pointed out that since Comptroller Balogun took over leadership of the command on March 20, 2025, he had not relented in carrying out his statutory mandate and had swung into action to bring smuggling activities in Owerri and its environs to its minimal level.
The anti-smuggling measures put in place by the new controller, which is one of the core mandates of the service, led to the interception and seizure of these goods namely;
•725 bales of second-hand used clothing.
•2762 rolls of satin fabric of 60 yards.
•2589 used tyres.
•233 sacks of 2kg foreign rice.
•181 rolls of wall covering.
•102 bottles of 75cl diesel.
•80 jerry can of 25l of PMS (Calabar).
•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 carton of redwine.
•1 sack of used shoes.
•1 Scannia container body truck Reg No: T 281 A2LA.
•1 Mercedez Truck Reg No: NKE 323 XE.
•1 Mack Truck Reg No: XB654-BNY 2001.
•1 Mack Truck With Reg No: APP 808 XA.
•2 X 40 ft empty container.
•5 Parcel of Cannadian Loud.
Comptroller Bishir said 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.
While commending officers and men of the unit during the briefing, the controller, FOU Zone C, anchored their successes on 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.
Comptroller Balogun stressed that the unit must work together to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the CGC BA Adeniyi 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, adding that as part of inter-agency collaboration, the seized cannabis sativa would 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 said, adding 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.”
Comptroller Balogun further commended the media for their continuous support and urged them to continue with the advocacy and campaign against illicit trade within and across the nation’s borders.
“Nigerians should support the service with the necessary information and intelligence that will assist in effectively discharging our statutory functions, to protect lives and the nation’s economy to better the lives of Nigerians at large,” he said.
