Crime 20
Daily Times Nigeria Thursday, June 16, 2016
NCS intercepts trucks, bus laden with contraband goods Joy Anyim Following the proactive measures being put in place by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to frontally deal with the issue of smuggling, the Headquarters compliance team ‘C’ Ogun/ Oyo axis has intercepted two trucks and a bus laden with assorted contraband goods within the axis. These revelation was made to newsmen by the team leader, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Abdulmaruf Shittu, during a media chat recently in Ogun state. In his narrative, the Assistant Comptroller disclosed that the team intercepted one used Iveco truck with registration number SUC 527 XA, suspected to be carrying prohibited goods,along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode Expressway. Speaking further, he stated that the truck was taken to Customs house Ibadan on the same day where 100% examination was conducted in accordance with laid down procedures. He said. “The examination revealed that the truck had 950 cartons of brand new foreign shoes totaling 23,340 pairs and 30 jumbo sacks of local slippers, totalling 816 pairs which was used to neatly conceal the contraband items.” On the second truck which was a Mercedes Benz truck with registration number LSK 835 XP, the team leader noted that the truck was intercepted while the team was on routine patrol. The truck was however taken to the Headquarters of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja where a physical examination was conducted. The examination revealed that the truck was laden with 305 pieces of used tryes and large quantities of soaps, used clothings, detergents, blenders, 136 giant cartons of cosmetics amongst other imported toiletries. In his words, “It is pertinent
Truck laden with contraband goods
to note that some of the items mentioned does not fall into the prohibition list but we had to confiscate them as means of concealment in line with the extant laws.” Abdulmaruf further disclosed that a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GUE 60 XA, laden with 30 bales of second hand clothing was also intercepted along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway. The goods are said to be domiciled in the Customs facility at Ikeja. Speaking on the strategies he is putting in place to contain the nefarious activities of smugglers, the team leader said. “We are deeply committed in this fight against smuggling, particularly with regards to the change mantra of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his Management. The team can dare any situation and will always remain on top of its statutory mandate irrespective of the challenges.” He expressed appreciation with the NCS Management for their support and promised to take the fight against smuggling to a greater level. He however solicited the support of Nigerians in this fight and promised that the identities of informants would be jealously guided, so as not to endanger their lives. In his words. “The Service believes that the fight against smuggling cannot be undertaken by the Customs alone, hence our call on Nigerians to partner with us in ensuring complete decimation and blocking of their supply chains. We do this principally because of our deep commitment towards ensuring the protection of the economy and enforcement of fiscal policies in terms of trade. Our resolve is unshaken and our commitment is total. We will stop at nothing until we become satisfied that we have completely suppressed smuggling in our clime.”
N60,000
“I collected the man’s phone while Wasiu took her wife’s phone and her purse containing N60,000.’’ — Meme
N
4,000 5,000
I usually sell each battery for N4,000 or N5000. — Meme
Ex-convict nabbed for robbing foreigners Joy Anyim & Ismaila Oguntade The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command arrested an ex-convict on Saturday morning for allegedly robbing a Portuguese couple in traffic on the Marine Bridge at Ijora area of Lagos. The suspect, Samuel Meme, 22, who claims to be of Delta state origin, is an erstwhile scrap metal collector before venturing into robbery. He stated that he targeted and robbed cars held up in traffic whose occupants are busy using their phones with the side window glass down. In his statement, the suspect said, “My plan was to operate alone that night. Luckily for me, there was heavy traffic, which extended deep into the night on Marine Bridge. Just as I was planning to strike, I ran into Wasiu (still at large), we decided to rob cars together. “During the operation, we opted for a car at the rear, a Toyota SUV. The occupants were whites, and I guessed they were husband and wife. Wasiu and I positioned ourselves on both sides of the car and we broke the two rear glasses. “I collected the man’s phone
while Wasiu took his wife’s phone and her purse containing N60,000. The lady pleaded for her drug from the purse and I asked my colleague to give her and we left for another car.” The suspect further said that, “the next car in front was a Toyota Corolla, with a lone occupant. We broke the two side glasses too but the lady insisted she had no phone but we collected her bag and jewellery.” Recounting how he joined the robbery gang, the suspect said, “Wasiu taught me how to rob in traffic, but after I had mastered the art, I started operating alone. Occasionally, when I run into like minds, we robbed whenever there is traffic on Marine Bridge. We sleep under Ijora Bridge and we are many there.” The suspect disclosed that four of his gang members are currently serving different jail terms at the Kirikiri prison. “We are six guys in my gang. Four of us - Gbenga, Imele, Tontolo and Lateef - are in Kirikiri Prison. I just came back from Kirikiri, where I spent 3 months for the same offence.” Meme confessed that robbery is not his only business. “I do other menial jobs, but at
nights, I join others and we select cars to rob whenever we see any vehicle where the occupants are busy with phones. We start operation around 8:00 p.m.” The suspect further told RRS interrogators that he is also an expert in removing trailers’ batteries. “I also remove and sell trucks batteries that are parked by the road sides. This week alone, I have stolen and sold like five batteries. I usually sell each battery for N4,000 or N5000. I sell them to Musa Yahuu,” he said. His confessional statement led to the arrest of the stolen batteries’ receiver, currently in police custody. He added that, “My colleagues who are still at large are Dan Jos, Ik and Wasiu. Dan Jos and Ik are part of my team, only they didn’t operate with me that night.” As at the time of filing this report, the traumatised Portuguese couple was still in hospital on admission. Confirming the incident, the Police PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, said that there would be no hiding place for criminals in Lagos State, adding that the suspects have been transferred to SARS for further investigation.