The Command’s Spokesman, Abdullahi Hussaini, said in a statement on Thursday that the seizures were made along Seme-Badagry expressway between Oct. 12 and Oct. 27.

Hussaini said that a total of 561 items were seized within two weeks of the protest, indicating that the command’s anti-smuggling operation was fully on ground during the EndSARS.

“They are 396 bags of 50kg foreign rice, 152 x 25 Jerry cans of petrol, six 25 litres of vegetable oil and seven units of smuggled vehicles.

“The seized items have a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth millions naira,” he said.

The customs spokesman described as “untrue” a media report that smugglers were having a field day along Mile 2 – Seme border road during the protest.

“The story 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.

“This, thereby, creating free access for smugglers to perpetrate their unpatriotic act.

“This is untrue as our anti-smuggling officers and other security operatives were fully on ground during this period,” the customs spokesman said.

He appealed to members of the public to disregard the publication ” that was built based on fallacy.

“This story may affect the morale of officers who, during day and night, risk their lives to protect our borders.

“To this end, the command will continue to enforce Federal Government fiscal policies, provide professional and quality service that will enhance development of the country at large,” he said.

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Speaking during a meeting with border stakeholders, comprising freight forwarders and security agencies on Thursday at Seme, Ali said that the closure was not intended to hurt anyone but to protect the nations interests.

“Our interest is to make sure that our country is secure, the well-being of our people is ensured and our economy is secure.

“The step we have taken is in the interest of Nigeria, the step is not to hurt anybody but to protect our own interests as a nation,” he said.

It was reported that Ali was accompanied at the meeting by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Kayode Oguntuase, Comptroller General Immigration, Mohammed Babandede and Brig. Gen. E.A Ndagi, Coordinator of Joint Border Security Exercise, among others.

The NCS boss said that lots of things had gone wrong regarding compliance with transit of goods, adding that the border closure was to ensure that things were streamlined so that all stakeholders could be back to doing the right things.

“The idea is to ensure that the protocol that is involved in transit of goods and trade facilitation is adhered to so that we will all live and complement each other.

“The operation is undertaken to ensure that we get things back in perspective; we know the right thing, it is well written, we are all aware of it, we used to practise it, so we must go back to that.

Ali said that the freight forwarders were critical stakeholders at the borders and urged them to ensure compliance with the rules regarding transit of goods.

“We cannot do business without you but compliance is lacking between you and our officers. Most of the things we do, we don’t comply with rules and that’s why we end up with weapons, Tramadol that killed our children.

“We end up with ammunition that bandits use to kill our people; we don’t manufacture ammunition in this country, if we do it is only from one source and that source is well protected and documented.

“But today, we have seen many of this ammunition in Nigeria, where are they coming from.

“They have compromised with some of us and some of you and I say to our officers; that weapons, that bullets you facilitate in transiting into Nigeria, you don’t know who will take it.

“The bandits, the armed robbers had no choice, your mother, my children, your sisters might be shot by that weapon,” the customs boss said.

He called for support and cooperation of the stakeholders to ensure the nation is protected.

“We need your support, we need your cooperation and understanding, our national interest is over and above any issue,” he said.

It was reported that the joint-border security exercise, code-named ‘Ex-Swift Response’, which was ordered by the Federal Government, commenced on Aug. to secure Nigeria’s land and maritime borders.

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Ali stated this on Wednesday at Maigatari/Niger border, Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa while fielding questions from newsmen.

“But there is no specific time for opening the borders. However, if they agree with us tomorrow on the existing laws, then we sign and update the existing protocol of transit, that’s all.

“And we are looking forward to meeting with them and there are moves to sit with them to make them understand why we are doing what we are doing and what we want to achieve by doing what we are doing,” Ali said.

When asked about the consequences of closing the borders, he said “if you check our website, you will see the seizures and interception we’ve made”.

He said that by closing the borders, Nigeria was able to completely block the importation of contraband.

“We are able to completely block the influxes of illicit goods, and most important, stopped the exportation of petroleum product which is the biggest problem we have,” Ali said.

According to him, through the measure, the importation of foreign rice has stopped and the market for local varieties has risen.

“We’ve also stopped the influx of rice and our rice is now selling.

“Even those selling garri that have been abandoned because there was cheap rice are making brisk business.

“This is because people are now buying garri as food. So, I think the economy is now picking up and we are grateful for that,” he said.

When asked about petty traders who are unable to bring goods to the neighbouring countries, Ali said “There must be collateral damage in this kind of situation. Somebody must miss one or two things.”

He said the number of petty traders affected was insignificant compared to gains recorded through the operation.

Ali said Nigeria’s neighbours had no reason allowing cars, cooking oil and other contraband items to pass through their borders into Nigeria.

“For instance, Niger has no reason to allow rice, cooking oil and other illicit goods to pass through its borders to come to Nigeria.

“So, if it is their national interest to collect revenue it is our national interest to close our borders until we sit down and discuss,” Ali said.

He warned that any officer caught conniving to pave way for the importation of contraband items into the country would have himself to blame.

“Some of these things happened in connivance with some of our men. We are trying our best to see that we produce what we consume, particularly rice.

“But the police are being bastardised in connivance with some of my officers. We’re aware of that.

“So, if we catch you, you know where to go, no compromise and you will have yourself to blame.

The customs boss who was at the border to inspect the on-going Operation Border Drill, said: “This is the first time the entire military and paramilitary come together to ensure security and wellbeing of Nigerians, as well as stop human trafficking.

Ali was with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Mohammed Babandede, and Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Aliyu Ndagi, Head of the operation.

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Mr Joseph Attah, the NSC Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the service had made tremendous efforts to deal with rice smuggling in the country, adding that the newly adopted strategy is aimed at deepening the success story.

“We have re-sharpened our strategy on rice anti-smuggling. In recent past, 50 vehicles have been issued to the service by the Federal Government to curtail rice smuggling.

“The federal government has also approved the purchase of another set of 68 vehicles to improve deployment and response time.

“We are also aware that there is an ongoing effort to purchase another set of 70 vehicles for Joint Rice Anti-Smuggling Operation,” Attah said.

Attah said the service had sustained crack down on suspected smugglers across the country because of the improved logistics.

The PRO said a number of smugglers were arrested by the anti-smuggling team and they are presently under investigation.

According to him, these smugglers are undergoing investigation surrounding their illegal border trade activities.

Attah said the smuggling of rice had become one of the most challenging undertakings because of the searchlight the service placed on the illicit trade.

According to him, tracking the smugglers is also a challenging task personnel face due to the porous nature of the country’s borders.

He said the un-cooperating dispositions of neighbouring countries and attitudes of unpatriotic Nigerians at the border communities had made the fight more herculean.

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This was sequel to a motion under Matters of Public Importance by Mr Obinna Chidoka (Anambra-PDP) to ascertain the cause(s) of the influx and how to stop it.

Chidoka said that the Customs had on four occasions this year intercepted firearms, totalling 2,671 pieces, smuggled into the country since January.

He said that a set of firearms was seized in May while the third and fourth were seized in September.

Chidoka said that the seizure in January was intercepted by the Customs after it had been purportedly checked and certified freed.

He recalled that the firearms had left the premises of the port when it was tracked down after a tip-off.

“The recent firearms seizure, which is the second this month and fourth in 2017 would appear to suggest that the syndicate behind the firearms has stepped up its nefarious trade.

“This has far-reaching consequences for our dear nation, as firearms and light weapons are the lifeblood of organised crimes and criminality.

“The influx has confirmed the recent report by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, which identified Nigeria as a destination of choice for smugglers of small arms and light weapons,’’ he said.

Chidoka said that the invitation would enable the relevant agencies inform the House on how to curb the menace.

The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

The House also commended the Nigeria Customs Service for the seizure of the firearms.

He urged the Customs, DSS and the Office of Attorney General of the Federation to speed up investigations into the seizures and commence prosecution of the culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

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