In a significant operation to curb smuggling, officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) successfully intercepted over 2,000 bags of illegally imported rice and other contraband in Ogun State without resorting to gunfire or violent confrontations.
The operation aligns with the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) and the Federal Government’s directive to enforce border regulations while avoiding unnecessary clashes with smugglers.
To prevent violent encounters along Nigeria’s border communities in Ogun and other southwestern states, FOU Zone A officers employed extensive intelligence-gathering techniques, enabling them to identify and track smugglers before intervening at strategic points.
This enforcement approach, codenamed “Operation Swift String,” was introduced by the unit’s Comptroller, Kola Oladeji, to minimise casualties while ensuring the effective seizure of smuggled goods.
Contrary to speculations, this strategy was also deployed at the Owode International Market in Ogun State after the unit received credible intelligence from residents about smugglers’ activities.
Upon arrival at the market, Customs officers adhered strictly to existing regulations, which prohibit them from seizing goods already purchased by traders. Instead, they focused on gathering intelligence that would aid future operations while discouraging smugglers from using the market as a distribution hub.
Their presence alone proved to be a deterrent, as smugglers, sensing heightened scrutiny, abandoned plans to utilise the market as a transit point. Since the launch of “Operation Swift String” nearly a year ago, the initiative has led to the interception of thousands of contraband goods, including rice, donkey skins, illicit drugs, and weapons, all without violent confrontations.
A senior Customs officer, speaking anonymously, affirmed that engaging smugglers in gun battles inside markets is strictly prohibited, as it could lead to unintended civilian casualties and violate government directives.
He explained that FOU Zone A’s intelligence-driven approach has significantly reduced direct confrontations with smugglers, aligning with a longstanding executive order signed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
This order, which restricts Customs from confiscating goods beyond a 40-kilometer radius from the border, remains in effect under successive administrations.
The National Assembly further reinforced this regulation five years ago by prohibiting Customs from impounding goods inside markets. This decision was prompted by previous violent clashes that had resulted in casualties.
Videos obtained by our correspondent showed residents alerting Customs officers about smugglers’ activities, followed by footage of the officers executing a swift and strategic intervention. The footage suggests that smugglers, realising their movements were being monitored, abandoned their initial routes and sought alternative channels to move contraband into the country.
A trader, identified as Mummy Tayo, confirmed that Customs officers maintained a presence in the area for about a week, conducting surveillance to prevent smugglers from distributing illegal goods.
She also noted an increase in Customs patrols along border communities, making it significantly harder for smugglers to transport goods into the market.
This heightened enforcement recently yielded another success when FOU Zone A intercepted 445 bags of 50kg rice in Ijoun, a border town in Ogun State, without a single gunshot fired. The smugglers, upon sighting Customs officers in the creeks, abandoned the goods and fled.
Speaking to journalists in Ikeja, Comptroller Kola Oladeji emphasised that while no arrests were made, the primary objective was to inflict financial losses on smugglers.
“Our focus is to disrupt the economic viability of smuggling. These goods will be forfeited to the Federal Government through a Federal High Court order,” he stated.
He warned against illegal importation, stressing that those caught would face legal consequences. He also acknowledged the role of community intelligence in the success of recent operations, highlighting the growing support of border communities in tackling smuggling.
Oladeji further commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing the necessary logistical support, which has bolstered the unit’s effectiveness.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring safe and secure border operations, preventing illegal trade, and enhancing national security.
