Shuaibu’s JBPT Delivers Impressive Seizures With N1.3Billion in 2 Months
The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) has sustained its impressive results on the crackdown on economic saboteurs in the southwest zone, foiling attempts to smuggle prohibited items. Coordinator Deputy Comptroller MS Shuaibu announced in Lagos that the team achieved a remarkable seizure valued at N1,381,030,400 between July and August, dealing a significant blow to smuggling operations.
Deputy Comptroller MS Shuaibu further revealed that the sector generated additional revenue of N26,131,260 through the issuance of Debit Notes (DN) for underpaid import duties on vehicles and other goods. During a tour of the seized items, including thousands of bags of foreign parboiled rice, the Coordinator emphasized, ‘The Joint Border Patrol Team remains resolute in its mission to combat smuggling and illegal migration, which pose significant threats to our national security.
Shuaibu also announced that the sector recovered N26,131,260 in revenue through Debit Notes (DN) issued for underpaid import duties on various goods, including vehicles. As he led newsmen on a tour of the vast array of seized items, including thousands of bags of foreign parboiled rice, he reaffirmed the team’s unwavering commitment to curbing smuggling and illegal migration, citing their detrimental impact on national security.
The goods intercepted in this period under consideration include 4,019 Jerrycans of 30 liters premium motor spirit, 2,633 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 868 jumbo bales, 154 blocks of cannabis sativa, and 790 pieces of codeine.
Others are 135 sacks of used footwears, 77 sacks of ginger, 15 units of fairly used cars, 5 means of conveyance, 4 trucks as well as motorcycles. Two suspects are already helping the team with relevant ongoing investigations.
Deputy Comptroller Shuaibu lamented that despite the federal government’s efforts to ensure the availability of premium motor spirit for citizens, some unscrupulous individuals persist in smuggling the product to neighboring countries for personal gain. He warned that these unpatriotic elements would face stiff opposition from his team, which has deployed intelligence measures to identify and apprehend offenders, putting a halt to their nefarious activities.
As we enter the final quarter of the year, the Joint Border Patrol Team is fully equipped to tackle the anticipated surge in smuggling activities,” Coordinator Shuaibu emphasized. “We are intensifying our collaborative efforts and leveraging intelligence to counter the desperation of smugglers, who may become more reckless in their pursuit of illicit gains.” He issued a stern warning to potential smugglers, urging them to abandon the harmful trade and resist the temptation of easy wealth through criminal means.
He called on traditional rulers, religious bodies and youth leaders to sensitize their subjects against smuggling activities which he noted destroys the nation’s economy, undermines the nation’s security and transfer employment to other nations.
Coordinator Shuaibu highlighted the exercise’s remarkable achievements, citing the significant number of interceptions of prohibited items, successful channeling of procedures, and substantial revenue generation through additional payments and auction sales, with proceeds remitted to the federation account. He also noted the arrest of numerous immigrants. However, he acknowledged that the operation in the southwest zone poses unique challenges due to the difficult terrain and hostile environment characteristic of border communities, making it a particularly demanding exercise.
Shuaibu expressed profound gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team ‘making these achievements possible by supporting with the needed logistics.
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