The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday donated 86 drones to the Nigerian Navy (NN) toward enhancing its operations.
The NCS Comptroller-General retired Col. Hamid Ali while presenting the items in Abuja said that they were intercepted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after the importers failed to present End Users Certificate (EUC).
Also read: Customs Warehouse Ikorodu Can Still Accommodate 9,000 Containers– ACG Aremu
Ali said that the customs usually condemn items imported into the country without EUC, after security permission from High Court.
“Such items or equipment are automatically forfeited to the Federal Government, which is why we are directed to transfer and hand over the drones to the NN.
“This is also because of the cooperation and the synergy among the security agencies in the country,“ he said.
Ali was represented by the NCS FCT Comptroller, Mr Suleman Bomoi at the ceremony.
“We intercepted these drones, seized them from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, and we went to High Court, Abuja, to get the Court’s order to condemn.
“So, I’m directed by the C-G to hand the items to the NN because of the cooperation and the synergy among the security agencies,“ he said.
Ali, however, emphasised that items imported or that found their way into the country must come with EUC.
He, however, urged Nigerians who were into importation or thinking of going into the business, to always ensure they have their EUC in place.
“Getting EUC is as easy as anything. Go to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), who is saddled with the responsibility of issuing EUC and apply online and get it.
“So, failure to have it will lead to an interception, seizure and outright condemnation,“ he said.
In his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice-Adm. Awwal Gambo, while receiving the items, assured of the appropriate use of the items for the benefit of the service and the country in general.
Gambo was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Solomon Agada.
The CNS extended the appreciation of the entire NN to the custom’s C-G, adding that it was done as part of a collaboration among the various security agencies in the country.
This, collaboration he added, would continue to be in place as the agencies work together to ensure the security of the country.
In another development, the Lagos State Environmental Enforcement and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) says it has arrested six suspected land-grabbing syndicates operating at Command Secondary School Ipaja, Lagos and its axis.
The Agency’s spokesman, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
He identified those arrested as Adekola Shoderu, 50; Gbenga Oladipupo, 47; Philip Gabriel, 40; Fatai Yusuf, 43; Ibrahim Mustapha, 38, and Olanrewaju Ifetijesu.
Abdulraheem said that the suspects were arrested while allegedly trying to forcefully take possession of land spanning 12 hectres belonging to Lagos State Ministry of Housing.
He said the suspects had been known for perpetrating such criminal acts around the axis for a long time.
According to him, luck ran out on them when they allegedly tried to obtain money from the building contractors working on the site, who alerted the agency’s officials before their arrest.
“This set of land grabbers has been known to terrorise the Ipaja axis and we have been on their lookout for a while.
“The agency has said it times without number that there is no room for land grabbers or Omo-onile in Lagos and anyone still involved in the practice would be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Abdulraheem said that the Lagos State Ministry of Housing was in Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Prosper Gardens Properties to build structures meant to better the lives of Lagos residents on the said land.
He said that the activities of the suspects impeded the flow of work on the site as a result of their constant threats with harmful weapons demanding for payment of the land from the contractors.
“The Lagos State Government is putting everything in place to actualise its mandate of improvement in physical infrastructure, housing and security.
“These suspected criminals try to undermine these efforts with their selfish actions.
“We will not condone it now or ever.
That is why we are going all out to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in land-grabbing activities,” he said.
The task force spokesperson enjoined residents of Lagos to report any suspected land-grabbing person or group to the agency directly or through social media channels.
He also urged them to desist from taking laws into their hands when such suspected individuals approach them concerning their property as two wrongs do not make a right.
“All such criminal or illegal activities should be reported to the agency or the nearest police station,” Abdulraheem said adding that the suspects would be charged to court accordingly.
