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Customs

WCO, Interpol crackdown on wildlife smugglers

—seize more than 1,000 big cats, turtles, birds in ‘operation thunder’
Eyewitness reporter
An international crackdown on smugglers of wildlife and other endangered species has led to the massive seizure of more than 1,000 big cats, turtles, and birds.
 The international trafficking operation, code names “Operation Thunder 2021” was coordinated by the World Customs Organisation and assisted by the International Police (Interpol) which involved wildlife enforcement agencies from 118 different countries.
 Sniffer dogs and x-ray scanners were used to check thousands of cargo ships, trucks, and cars.
The worldwide seizures included 75 big cat parts and 29 live big cats along with reptiles and birds.
 In Spain, more than 250,000 euros of protected items were seized. This includes turtles, items made from ivory, and parrots.
The operation ran for the whole of October and around 300 suspects were identified.

Jurgen Stock, the Interpol Secretary-General said “Organised crime networks are generating billions in illicit profits every year, at significant cost to our environment as well as the associated impacts of fraud, corruption, and violence,

“We are seeing the continued globalisation of crime, which means only an international response can be effective, as demonstrated with this latest Operation Thunder.”
“Every one of our 195 member countries has a role to play in combating this threat, either directly or in the follow-up investigations.”

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Customs

Vicious smugglers lynch young customs officer to death in Katsina , CGC mourns, orders investigation

The Eyewitness Reporter
A young Customs Officer, Customs Assistant II, Auwal Haruna, has been killed by suspected smugglers at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in Dankama area of Katsina State on April 17th, 2024.
The officer, said to have been commissioned into the Nigeria Customs Service less than a year ago, was said to have fallen victim to the rampaging irate mob who was said to have overrun the Customs team which tried to stop a convoy of about 50 vehicles suspected to be smuggling illicit items outside the country.
According to the statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, the deceased officer, who later died from the fatal injuries inflicted on him, has since been buried according to the Muslim rites.
However, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the entire NCS fraternity have extended heartfelt condolences to the family of CA II Auwal Haruna.
Adeniyi also condemned the senseless act of violence that led to the untimely death of the young officers and assured to institute a comprehensive investigation into this tragic incident to ensure justice is served.
“The CGC underscores the perilous challenges officers face in their daily mission to safeguard the nation’s borders.
“Under his stewardship, he assures that the NCS stands firmly united with the fallen officer’s family during this period of profound grief.
“The NCS remains steadfast in its efforts to combat illegal activities such as smuggling, prioritising Nigeria’s border integrity while ensuring the safety of citizens and dedicated customs personnel” disclosed Adeniyi.
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Customs

Nigeria Customs, Benin Republic Customs collaborate to snuff lives out of Smugglers on Nigeria-Benin border 

The Eyewitness Reporter
Smugglers on the Nigeria- Benin Republic border may be in for a rough deal as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Customs administration of the Republic of Benin have indicated their readiness to work together to promote legitimate trade between the two West African neighboring countries.
The determination to promote legitimate trade and rid the Nigeria-Benin Republic border of illicit trade were reiterated during the visit of a powerful Nigeria Customs delegation led by Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs to his Benenour Counterpart, Mrs Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi.
The primary focus of the meeting, as outlined by the CGC, was to deliberate on strategies aimed at amplifying trade activities between the two nations and ensuring the seamless implementation of recommendations previously discussed during their rendezvous in Cotonou.

Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, the CGC underscored, “We are cognizant of the established framework for cooperation between our respective customs administrations.

 This framework was established at a higher level by the authorities of the heads of State, President Patrice Talon of Benin and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, both expressing a desire to work together. It is upon this foundation that the customs of both countries are united in their efforts.”

Welcoming the delegation with open arms, Mrs. Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, the Director-General of Benin Customs Administration, reiterated their steadfast commitment to executing the mutually agreed-upon measures, emphasising the importance of thorough monitoring to ensure effective implementation.

The collaborative endeavours between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Republic Customs Administration, according to her, serve as a testament to their shared commitment to facilitating seamless trade operations and ensuring the efficient management of cross-border activities for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In the meantime, during the visit, the CGC seized the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects within the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command. Accompanied by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the CGC meticulously assessed the progress of the projects and received assurances of diligent oversight from the responsible authorities.

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Customs

Zone A FOU, PTML, Ogun 1, Western Marine Commands get new Controllers as Oloyede, Peters get promotions in fresh Customs deployment exercise. 

Wale Adeniyi, CGC
The Eyewitness Reporter
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the redeployment of Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf of Port Terminal Multi Services Limited(PTML) and Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu of FOU Zone A in a routine redeployment exercise conducted by the service.
To replace the redeployed Area controllers of the affected commands are Comptroller Adegbite who takes over at PTML Command and Comptroller Oladeji who resumes as Controller in charge of FOU Zone A Ikeja.
Comptroller Ejibunu has been recalled to the Headquarters in the redeployment exercise that affected 13 Customs Comptrollers.
Similarly, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu formerly of Ogun 1 Command has been moved to  FOU Zone B, Kaduna while Comptroller O. Salifu of Western Marine Command was also redeployed to head FOU Zone D as   Comptroller MIC Igbadi now handles affairs at FOU Zone C.

Comptrollers Kolade of FOU Zone C, Comptroller Kehinde Ejibunu of FOU Zone A as well as Comptroller Wada have been moved to the Customs Headquarters.

Comptroller Ojo will take over from Comptroller Shuaibu at Ogun 1 Command while Comptroller Oladeji will resume as Controller in charge of FOU Zone A Ikeja.

Comptroller Adegbite will take over at PTML Command while Comptroller Babandede is expected to take over leadership at Onne Port Harcourt 1 Command as the Area Controller.

Meanwhile, a former Controller of Western Marine Command, ACG O. Peters was promoted to the rank of Deputy Comptroller General while the immediate past Controller of Tin Can Island Command, Comptroller A. Oloyede was elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller General.
Full details of the redeployment exercise remained sketchy at press time but Abdullahi Maiwada, the official spokesman of the Service, confirmed the exercise.
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