The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 2, Southwest Zone, has recorded seizures of illegal goods, with a Duty Paid Value of N1.6 billion.
Deputy Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu in charge of JBPT Sector 2, availed the team’s activities under his stewardship in a press briefing held at Abeokuta on Wednesday, 24 April 2024.
The coordinator noted that the team’s area of responsibilities, which covers all six southwestern states, is mandated to “curbing anti-smuggling activities, channelling of procedures, and combating other cross border crimes that threaten Nigeria’s national and economic security.
“The sector wishes to announce the seizures of illegal goods, which include Cannabis Sativa, secondhand clothings, and means of conveyance smuggled into the country with a Duty Paid Value of N1,663,646,360 and petroleum products valued at N52,486,215 which were auctioned out due to their inflammable nature.”
According to him, the seized goods were recorded between November 2023 and April 2024, adding that “no fewer than 15 suspects were arrested with some charged to court and others prosecuted”.
Handing over the seized Cannabis Sativa at Ogun II Command to the representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Deputy Commandant Narcotics Ogun state, Nnyigide Alexander, DC Shuaibu commended the dedication, doggedness and professionalism of officers involved in the interception of the substances which would have caused more security threat.
On revenue generation, the border drill coordinator stated that N36,318,727 was generated through the issuance of Demand Notices (DN) on vehicles and other goods improperly imported into the country.
Receiving the seized Cannabis Sativa, DC Alexander thanked Shuaibu for his hard work, adding that this synergy fulfils the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NCS and NDLEA.
In his words, “I feel highly happy that we are doing what we call sister agency collaboration, which has led to the result we have here. I expect to see more in the future because I know they are capable.”
Similarly, DC Shuaibu, who was also on a working visit to Seme and Ogun 1, Idiroko Area Commands, also handed over seized Cannabis Sativa to representatives of the NDLEA at Seme.