The absence of fixed frontiers in border areas has attributed largely to the persistence in smuggling activities across the country making it difficult to control entry and exit points in border areas.

According to the area Controller of Customs Oyo /Oshun command, Richards Oteri, this is due largely to the fact that there are very few fixed frontiers among thousands of illegal routes that smugglers use daily across the country.

Oteri said that this hurdle made it imperative to re strategize using meagre resources for better efficiency and these have been yielding results in the amount of seizure made under the command in the past 2 months.

He added that there is urgent need to approve more border stations in strategic points across the country.

The latest seizure of 19.750 cartons of frozen turkey valued at 98 million naira is perhaps the largest single seizure of poultry products under the command in recent time, but the command says there is no stopping until smugglers get the message.

Despite repeated warnings, huge seizures running into billions of naira annually and jail terms in some cases, the activities of smugglers remain unabated in many parts of the country.

He disclosed that in Oyo state, there are only 2 approved border stations in Ayegun and Ighokoko to cover more than 8 local governments with more than 5oo illegal border routes.

Oteri added that this necessitated a change in strategy and renewed commitment among less than 800 members of staff under the command.

The latest seizure for the command is this staggering amount of frozen turkey. Customs value the 19,750 cartons at 98 million naira the contraband was carefully concealed with 530 iron rods and 36 sheets of iron plates.

The leader of the team that made the seizure, DCS Alajogun Joseph explained that officers followed the smugglers for 3 days before finally catching up with them at Bakatari along old Abeokuta road.

The command again enjoined people to desist from smuggling as it will not rest in efforts at discouraging smuggling.

Source: Federal Ministry of Information
https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=566901296696116&l=d5c9b476b7&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FOkbuLoSeui&_rdr