The Customs Area Controller of Oyo/Osun Customs command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Nwokocha Evelyn has said that the command was battle ready to deal with smugglers who might have the penchant to invade the area with their notorious activities. Nwokocha disclosed this recently in her office, warning that smugglers should steer clear of the area or be engaged in cross fire which they stand to regret.

She said that it has been quite hectic curtailing the activities of the smugglers but expressed confidence in the ability of her officers to rise up to the challenge.

She said that the command made eight substantial contraband seizures during the month of September valued at N74, 672,995.45. Similarly, the command made further five seizures between October 1st to October 19th worth N254, 534,126.75, making the total contraband goods intercepted by the command from September to 19th October 2009 to be N329, 207,122.20.

The prohibited goods intercepted by the command include assorted textiles, vegetable oil, used tyres and second hand vehicles.

The customs chief added that eight people were arrested in connection with the offensive items but they have been released on bail.

Comptroller Nwokocha commended the effort of the Comptroller- General of customs, Abdullahi Inde Dikko for giving the command two brand new Hilux Jeep to boost the anti -smuggling war.

She described the CG of Customs as straight forward, truthful and compassionate officer who like handwork and detest pretence and corruption. The Oyo/Osun customs boss also said that the command has intensified effort to boost the revenue generation by sending out the officers and men to factories to re-examine their production records to ascertain if the Unit Cost Analysis (UCA) was appropriate.

Also, she disclosed that officers of the command are being sent to scout the area of operations in a bid to identify other revenue-generating areas.

Nwokocha noted that she was happy that a good man has been made the CG of Customs while the support and commitment of her officers gladdens her.