Seme Customs intercepts $6m fake currency, passports of various nationals

...As Officers Reject $250,000 Bribe

Joy Mmereole Okoli

The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted $6million fake United States dollars worth over N2.763 billion at Gbaji area of Badagry.

The newly appointed Controller of the command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday. He said the fake currency which bears same serial number was intercepted when it was been moved out of the country to Benin Republic at Gbaji checkpoint along the Lagos Seme highway.

He said officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Seme Border Command rejected $250,000 original currencies as bribe from two of the suspects arrested in connection with the fake currency to allow passage of the fake currency.

“In the last 13 days, the Command recorded milestones in its anti- smuggling operations. Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks by the Command include the seizure of fake $6million (equivalent of N2.763 billion at exchange rate of N460.52) and the arrest of two suspects conveying the fake currency from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.

“Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and are currently in our custody pending prosecution. The arrest was made at Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme corridor on the 31 of January, 2023.

The Controller said that the command also intercepted six international passports of Malta Republic bearing same photograph of an European lady but with different names.

He also said that the same lady also has six international drivers license bearing her photograph with six different names.

“Also on the 31 of January, 2023 at a about 0530 hours, officers on patrol along Gbetrome base intercepted 6 Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names, two Senegalese International Passports, three Togolese International Passports, four Republic of Benin International Passports, one Republic of Niger International Passport and 10 International Driving License of these various countries from two male suspects who are also in our custody pending further investigation.”

Comptroller Nnadi said the command also seized 1300 gallons of 30 liters PMS equivalent to 39,000 liters with duty paid value of N9,366,450. He said the products were seized along the creeks.

Other items seized include 55 sacks containing 550 pieces of donkey skin with DPV OF N 11,371,511.

While expressing delight at the high level of integrity of the Customs officers who facilitated the seizures, Comptroller Nnadi stressed that he would write to the Customs management to reward their exemplary conduct.

“These achievements so far, were not made on a platter of gold. It took the painstaking efforts of the officers who spend hours on patrol and surveillance to record the seizures. We wish to reiterate that we will not relent on this effort,” he said.

Nnadi assures that the command will continue to dialogue, engage, sensitize and educate the public on social/economic implication of smuggling as well as performing statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies.

He also appealed to parents and guardians residing in border communities to prevail on their children, wards and youths to desist from criminal acts such as smuggling.

“During my courtesy visit to the traditional rulers in various communities Seme Badagry axis. I sought for their support in combating smuggling and urged them to educate their subjects on the menace of smuggling and the need to support security operatives discharging their statutory duties,” he said.