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Customs arrest 94 suspects, seize N18bn worth of goods

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigeria Customs Service (NSC)

Customs arrest 94 suspects, seize N18bn worth of goods

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A”

said on Monday, that it has arrested 49 suspected smugglers and seized goods worth over N18 billion within the last two week of December 2024.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, its Area Controller, Kola Oladeji, said the 49 suspects were arrested in connection with seizure of the prohibited items.

He said: “These achievements underscore our determination to protect the Nation’s economy and security against illicit Cross Border Trade and movement around our Borders.

“We have been working relentlessly to improve smuggling detection methods, leveraging on intelligence to stay ahead of smugglers and prevent the importation of prohibited and harmful products.

Oladeji said: “The newly inaugurated “Operation Swift Sting” has recorded remarkable success in the fight against illicit Cross Border Trade with impressive smuggling with impressive arrest in just two weeks.

“Through this operation, he said, “we arrested a significant amount of cannabis Sativa, 4,010 bags of foreign parboiled rice in with 50kg bag each, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), along with other contraband items.

“It is clear that “Operation Swift Sting” is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartel at the same time ensuring facilitation of compliant Trade with impressive outcome.

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“Ninety-four (94) Defendants, the Area Controller said, “were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and 6 persons have been convicted for various offences.”

This, he said: “Demonstrates their quest to bring perpetrators to justice and also ensure deterrence from illicit Trade.

“707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of Eighteen billion, Seven hundred and Ten million, One hundred and Forty-three thousand, Eight hundred and One naira, Twenty-four kobo (N 18,710,143,801.24) were intercepted from January 2024 till date.

Prominent among the seizures, the Controller said, “Are:48,912 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each191,975 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)7,861 kg of Cannabis sativa6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins37,630 sachets of Tramadol207 units of Motor Vehicles{ Some of which were arrested for short payment of Duty and later cleared after payment of outstanding Duty}6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products1,433 bales of used clothes1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors317 cartons of illicit medicament.

“In addition to the seizures, he added, “so far in 2024 we collected revenue through careful documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices to consignments that were found to have underpaid Customs duty.

“The sum of one billion, twelve million, seven hundred and eighty three thousand, four hundred and thirty seven naira, twenty one kobo N1, 012, 783, 437.21 was generated through these efforts.

“This also underscore the importance of careful monitoring and intelligence at preventing smuggling and ensuring that all imports are properly declared and taxed.

” Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. Hence, the Service is calling on all citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit Cross Border Trade.

“In the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, we also raised awareness about its dangers and the importance of complying with Customs regulations. We remain resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.

I commended the cooperation and support of all Smsecurity agencies, nedia practitioners and other stakeholders, and the general public in providing timely information support and advice.

He also gave thanks our to the Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management for their unending and unflinching support to achieve these great feat.” Your effort is making a significant impact,” he said.

Customs arrest 94 suspects, seize N18bn worth of goods

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Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has announced the indefinite postponement of the inauguration of a Sharia Court of Law in Oyo State following widespread online criticism.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Imam Daud Igi Ogun, the Khadimul Muslimeen of Oyo Kingdom, the Islamic group confirmed that the event, initially scheduled for January 11, 2025, would no longer hold as planned.

The proposed establishment of the Sharia court had sparked significant outrage on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concerns over its implications in a multi-religious and culturally diverse state like Oyo.

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The group said, “On behalf of the Oyo Muslim indigenes, this is to inform the general public that the inauguration ceremony of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (Oyo branch) previously scheduled for January 11th, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Center, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Agbongangan, Oyo, has been suspended until further notice. Islam portrays peace!”

Recall that the group’s flier announcing the launch of the court in Oyo state had gone viral causing an outrage among Nigerians especially those from the South region you argued that the same measure used in the North cannot be adopted there.

According to the flier, the court was expected to launch on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre, Oba Adeyemi High School Road, Mobolaje Area, Oyo.

Islamic group postpones launch of Sharia court in Oyo

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Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Trends Admin

Seyi Tinubu

Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu

The Oshodi-Isolo Local Government is set to rename Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo after Seyi Tinubu, the son of Mr. President Bola Tinubu.

Chairman of the council, Kehinde Oloyede, explained that the decision was “borne out of his immense contributions to youth and community development.

According to Oloyode, in a statement shared on the LG’s X handle by his media aid, “All is now set for the renaming of Liverpool Road in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government after the son of Nigeria’s President, Amb. Seyi Tinubu.”

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When contacted to confirm the claim, one of media aides to the Chairman of Oshodi –Isolo council said, The road, which is strategic to Oshodi and one of the major roads linking Oshodi/Apapa Expressway and connecting the international airport, “would soon be commissioned and renamed in Seyi Tinubu’s honour at a date to be announced.”

Oloyode, claimed “The road was a lion’s den, as no one could dare pass it either during the day or at night.”

He, however, noted that upon his assumption of office, the criminal elements, who had been using the road as a hideout before its reconstruction were all chased away.

Lagos council to rename road after Seyi Tinubu

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I stole from hospital because of hunger — Suspected cultist

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Trends Admin

I stole from hospital because of hunger — Suspected cultist

A 25-year-old alleged cultist, Borokini Ayodeji, has said that he resorted to stealing because of hunger and a lack of support from family members.

Ayodeji, who was arrested and paraded by the Ondo State security outfit codenamed Amotekun, in Akure, lamented that he was abandoned hence he ventured into stealing to survive.

In an interview, the suspect confessed to being a member of the Eiye confraternity.

He admitted stealing from a government general hospital in Akure, the state capital out of hunger.
Th suspect who said that he was a trained tailor, noted that he resorted to stealing because of poverty and lack of support to establish his craft.

Also paraded was a 16 year old secondary school student in Akure, (names witheld) who confessed to raping a 24 year old neighbour at knifepoint.

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According to his statement, the crime was unprovoked, and he expressed remorse for his actions.
In an interview, the suspect said: “I don’t know what came over me. I regret my actions.”

Parading the suspects, the state commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said that 29 suspects, with seven others currently under interrogation, were arrested for various offences ranging from rape and burglary to attempted murder.

Adeleye said that the arrests were the result of intensified patrols and intelligence gathering across the state.

He assured residents of the Corps’ commitment to maintaining peace and curbing criminal activities, particularly during the festive season.

He said: “Among these, a notorious member of a vehicle and motorcycle theft syndicate, known for disassembling stolen vehicles and selling them as scrap outside the state, was apprehended.
“The operatives also arrested a serial house breaker who had been jailed twice in the last three years.

“Shockingly, he resumed burglary activities within two weeks of his release from the prison.”
He said that to ensure safety during the yuletide season, 1,200 personnel had been deployed across the 18 local government areas of the state, supported by regular patrols and show-of-force exercises.