5th August, 2011
The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos led by Dimka Victor, a Deputy Controller of Customs, clashed with smugglers and seized several contraband including rice and operational speed boats used by the smugglers. The operation was part of the renewed war by the zone which comprises Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States with headquarters in Lagos.
The operation led to the seizure of large quantities of contraband goods including 400 bags of rice.
The seizure was carried out by a team of the zonal operatives of NCS, led by Ohagwu Jude, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs, ASC2, along the Agbara waterside.
P.M.NEWS investigations revealed that the smugglers operated with four flying boats with which they were bringing in the goods into the country, but were intercepted by Ohagwu and his team.
Eye witnesses, said that the smugglers were very daring, considering the sophisticated boats they operated with.
Speaking on the raid and arrest, a Maritime Stakeholder, Victor Iyalla commended the effort of the Zone, saying that “Since DC Victor Dimka came on board early this year as the acting controller of the zone, it had not been easy for smugglers to perpetrated their nefarious act.
According to him, within the last few months, goods worth several billions of naira have been impounded by officers of FOU zone A., while several suspected smugglers have been arrested and charged to court.
—By Moses Falobi