The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, has declared a renewed commitment to combating smuggling activities through intelligence-driven operations. This strategic shift aims to enhance efficiency and minimize disruptions to legitimate trade. The unit’s Area Controller, Mohammed Shuaibu, emphasized this approach during a meeting with the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), pledging to leverage his experience to navigate the complexities of the unit’s mandate and prioritize targeted interventions over indiscriminate container stops on highways. This signifies a move towards a more sophisticated and effective anti-smuggling strategy.
Shuaibu’s vision underscores a dual focus: suppressing illicit trade while simultaneously facilitating legitimate commerce. He assured that the unit would continue to play its role in trade facilitation while intensifying efforts to curb smuggling. The controller highlighted the forthcoming public display of seized contraband and apprehended suspects, emphasizing the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations in identifying and intercepting illegal goods. This public display serves as a deterrent and showcases the unit’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
A key component of the new strategy is a move away from random container checks, replacing them with targeted inspections based on credible intelligence. Shuaibu explained that the presence of customs officers at specific locations would be driven by concrete information rather than arbitrary stops. He urged importers and clearing agents to maintain honesty in their declarations to ensure a seamless and efficient trade process, emphasizing that compliance with customs regulations is crucial for fostering ease of doing business.
The controller highlighted the direct correlation between false declarations by importers and the need for intensified customs interventions. He emphasized that the deployment of officers to strategic locations is a direct consequence of inaccurate or misleading declarations, necessitating targeted inspections to verify the legitimacy of goods. This underscores the importance of accurate and transparent declarations in minimizing disruptions and delays in the trade process.
Furthermore, Shuaibu emphasized the collaborative nature of the unit’s operations, pledging to build upon past successes by strengthening partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the trade sector. He highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation, citing a recent collaboration with the Nigerian Army as an example of the unit’s commitment to synergizing with other security agencies. This collaborative approach enhances the effectiveness of anti-smuggling efforts and strengthens overall border security.
SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, commended the unit’s dedication to safeguarding the nation’s economy against illicit trade. This acknowledgement reinforces the unit’s crucial role in protecting national interests and underscores the importance of its efforts in maintaining economic stability. The shift towards intelligence-driven operations marks a significant step towards a more effective and less disruptive approach to combating smuggling, promoting legitimate trade, and securing the nation’s economic interests.
