Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ has arrested 94 suspected smugglers and seized goods worth over N18 billion in the last two weeks of the month.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, its Area Controller, Kola Oladeji, said: “These achievements underscore our determination to protect the  economy and security against illicit cross border trade and movement around our borders.

“We have been working relentlessly to improve smuggling detection methods, leveraging on intelligence to stay ahead of smugglers and prevent the importation of prohibited and harmful products.

“The newly inaugurated “Operation Swift Sting” has recorded remarkable success in the fight against illicit cross border trade with smuggling with an impressive arrest in just two weeks.’’

Through this operation, he added, “we arrested a significant amount of cannabis sativa, 4,010 bags of foreign parboiled rice in 50kg bags each, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), along with other contraband items’’.

He continued: “It is clear that ‘Operation Swift Sting’ is delivering unbearable heat to the smuggling cartel at the same time ensuring facilitation of compliant trade with an impressive outcome.

“Ninety-four defendants were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and six persons have been convicted for various offences.’’

This, he further said, “demonstrates their quest to bring perpetrators to justice and also ensure deterrence from illicit Trade; 707 seizures worth a total Duty Paid Value of N 18,710,143,801.24 were intercepted from January 2024 till date.

Prominent among the seizures, the Controller said, “are 48,912 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each,191,975 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 7,861 kg of cannabis sativa; 6,168 pieces of dry donkey skins, 37,630 sachets of Tramadol, 207 units of motor vehicles. Some of which were arrested for short payment of duty and later cleared after payment of outstanding Duty; 6,755 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 1,433 bales of used clothes; 1,773 units of used refrigerator compressors and 317 cartons of illicit medicament.’’

“In addition to the seizures,” he added, “so far, in 2024 we collected revenue through careful documentary checks and issuance of demand notices to consignments that were found to have underpaid customs duty.

The sum of N1, 012, 783, 437.21 was generated through these efforts. This also underscores the importance of careful monitoring and intelligence at preventing smuggling and ensuring that all imports are properly declared and taxed.

“Smuggling operations that employ ingenious concealment methods could have significant impact on the Nation’s economy and security if not checked with modern intelligence tools. Hence, the Service is calling on citizens to support its anti-smuggling efforts by providing useful and timely information on illicit cross border trade.

“In the course of fighting the menace of smuggling, we also raised awareness about its dangers and the importance of complying with Customs regulations. We remain resolute in protecting the nation’s Economy, Security and Health through coordinated synergy with relevant stakeholders.

He commended security agencies, media practitioners and other stakeholders, and the public for providing timely information, support and advice and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management for their support. “Your effort is making a significant impact,” he added.

Southern governors have paid a condolence visit to one of their members, Seyi Makinde, over the death of 35 persons at a funfair for children in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Also yesterday, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed sadness over the Ibadan stampede and those that happened in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) and Okija, Anambra State on Saturday. He expressed sadness over the tragedies and called for prayers as well as support for the victims’ families.

Police in Anambra State put the death toll in the Okija incident at 22 while reports had  it that 10 lives were lost in that of the FCT.

The victims were among thousands of people that thronged venues of cash and rice distributions by private charity organisations.

During the visit to Makinde in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum(SGF) Dapo Abiodun, said that he was sure that the stampede on Thursday would not have happened if the state government had been carried along by the organisers.

Abiodun said: “I am here on behalf of myself, the government, and the good people of Ogun State and the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) to commiserate with the governor of Oyo State and the people on the unfortunate incident where a good initiative turned sour.

“It is most unfortunate that, in response to the current realities, an NGO(Non-Governmental Organisations) decided to share the joy of the season with children, which led to the loss of 35 lives.

“I think that we’ve seen this trend in Anambra and Abuja during this Yuletide.’’

The SGF chairman, who is also the governor of Ogun State,  described the stampede as unfortunate and advised that governments and relevant stakeholders should always be carried along by organisers of events requiring large crowds.

His words: “I believe that what we must also take away from this unfortunate incident is that when private sector players, non-governmental organisations, and charities want to embark on such initiatives, they should try to work with the government.

“As a responsible government, we carry out such initiatives, and it doesn’t end like this because we have people who are charged with such responsibilities.

“They planned it to ensure that it is well implemented. So, one must admonish others who have such initiatives that a lot of lessons must be learned from what has happened, and we must ensure that we avoid such mishaps in the future.”

He stated that the SGF was pained by the loss of loss and that as the chairman of the forum, his visit was to condole with Makinde and all Oyo State people  .

He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and for their families to bear the loss.

Governor Makinde said the visit by Abiodun provides an opportunity for the cross-fertiliSation of ideas that would benefit the two(Ogun and Oyo) sister states.

He revealed that leaders of the two states would meet next year to see what they could learn from each other.

In his Christmas message, former President   Jonathan urged governments and other relevant authorities to implement measures to prevent incidents that could lead to deaths in the future.

He said: “The unfortunate incidents have left all of us in shock and sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends who have lost their loved ones and with those who have been injured.

“I urge the authorities to provide the necessary support to the victims and ensure that measures are put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“As we navigate through this painful period, I encourage all Nigerians to show compassion and solidarity, especially during this festive season.

“Christmas is a time of love, unity, and hope. It reminds us of the importance of caring for one another and working towards peace and harmony in our communities.”

Jonathan also urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Christmas by extending love to those in need and fostering unity across all divides.

Jonathan prayed that the season would rekindle Nigerians’ collective resolve to build a nation founded on justice, fairness, and mutual respect.
thinking that the economy was healthy.’’.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has phased out high-interest foreign exchange (FX) swaps to stabilise financial markets.

It has settled 80 per cent of FX forward obligations, thereby boosting liquidity and market confidence.

Deputy Governor, Monetary Policy, Mohammed Sani, said the CBN has also maintained robust external reserves to support exchange rate appreciation.

He stated these in a presentation titled “Enhancing FX Market Efficiency” at a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT) convened by the Federal Government to assess critical economic policies and progress in key sectors.

Sani highlighted the launch of the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which aims to improve transparency and enhance market operations.

The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, focused on strengthening economic resilience.

A statement by Mohammed Manga, Director, Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, said the meeting noted efforts to address market reforms and agricultural performance.

Edun commended the progress made in the foreign exchange and agricultural sectors.

He urged stakeholders to accelerate efforts toward achieving economic stability, food security, and sustainable growth.

He emphasised the importance of coordinated implementation of policies to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring affordable food and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, presented a report on the 2024 wet season performance, revealing a 4.5 per cent increase in overall crop production.

However, millet production declined slightly by 0.2 per cent.

The minister expressed concern over rising production costs, particularly maize, which surged by 69.7 per cent, and significant food price increases, with cowpea prices rising by 300 per cent.

He lamented the food crises reported in 31 states, which have severely impacted the Northeast.

Despite these challenges, there were slight improvements in mechanisation and farmland expansion, with a two per cent increase in tractor use and a 2.3 per cent rise in cultivated farmland.

The Ministry of Agriculture outlined ambitious plans for 2025, which include boosting food security through hybrid seed production, technology adoption, and climate-smart practices; promoting export crops such as cocoa, sesame, and ginger; and enhancing rural infrastructure with cold chain facilities, feeder roads, and electrification.