The Ogun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) says it has intercepted two trucks laden with 1 200 bags of rice.
Ade Dosunmu, the state Controller of NCS, made this known in Idi-Iroko, Ogun, while addressing newsmen.
Dosunmu said that the seizure, which occurred at Owode-Yewa on the Idi-Iroko border route in Yewa South Local Government Area of the state, followed a tip-off.
“The smugglers put up resistance as they prevented NCS officials from performing their official duties.
“The smugglers engaged officers and men of the NCS in a gun duel, forcing the latter to call for reinforcement from the state’s Military Task force, “Operation Mesa.”
“Following the successful intervention of men of the “Operation Mesa,” the NCS officials had to transfer about 600 bags of rice to their 15 Hilux patrol vans following the mechanical problems developed by one of the affected trucks, “Dosunmu said.
The NCS boss also advised the residents of the area to always engage in lawful businesses.
According to him, the economy of Nigeria will be in jeopardy should such illegal business continue unchecked in the state.
“These people will continue to lose in their nefarious activities because we will go to any length to make the business uncomfortable for them, particularly in the Idi-Iroko axis.
“I can’t imagine a reasonable businessman abandoning genuine means of doing business for illegality inspite of the low tariff regime which we have introduced in this area,’’ he said.
Dosunmu said the proactive efforts of the command had made the revenue generated this year to rise when compared with 2012.
He said the command made 1 229 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N11 million from January to date as against 1 181 seizures with DPV of N7.99 million in the same period last year.