By Esogwa Godwin
The year 2015, has been described as a year of judgment against those who believed that they can always have their way despite the effort of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) to stamp out corruption at Nigeria’s ports and border post across the country.
In a report released by the Public Relation Officer of Western Marine Command, the Nigerian Custom Service, Ms Ngozi Okwara showed that smugglers are counting their costs as the command inflicted heavy damage on smugglers. Having key into the anti-corruption policy did not leave any stone unturned as he made sure that any single items that find it way into the country was intercepted by his able officers and men.
The breakdown of report by the Command’s Public Relation office, in 2015 shown over 3500 bags of rice while over 6500 cartons of frozen chicken was seized, including thousands of litres of vegetable oil, petroleum product of different types, items including wooden boat, and outboard engines valued at over N78,852,31 million.
It would be recalled that under the command, Compt Yusuf Umar, the Western Marine Command has experienced enormous transformation. Compt. Umar has placed structures and policies that have reinvigorated the spirit and commitment of the officers and men of the command. Under Compt. Umar, the WMC officers have undergone weapon training exercise were more than 150 officers were trained in the use of AK 47 weapon. The Command under the present compt Umar, can boast of a well-equipped medical facility for injured officers, refurbished a befitting quarters guard, acquired five new patrol vehicles to boast anti-smuggling activities and repaired dilapidated office blocks for officers and also spear-headed the acquisition of two bullet- proof vessels that will be used to patrol over territorial waters.
Soon, the Command will complete a gigantic office building of several blocks started by Compt Yusuf Umar which are all at stage of completions which is unbelievable as no officer or Comptroller that can create such an impressive and dynamic record in less than one year in office.
There is no doubt that 2016 will be a year of suicide for smugglers who wish to test the ability of Western Marine Command under the able commander of Comptroller Umar.