Customs declares war on smuggling of Poultry Products, launches Operation ‘Hawk Descend’
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| CGC, Dikko Abdullahi |
The Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) has declared war against smuggling of poultry products with the launch of
a special unit for this purpose code-named ‘Hawk Descend’.
(NCS) has declared war against smuggling of poultry products with the launch of
a special unit for this purpose code-named ‘Hawk Descend’.
Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Abdulahi said in Seme Border Station that
the idea was to achieve national food security and protect the economy from the
activities of smugglers.
the idea was to achieve national food security and protect the economy from the
activities of smugglers.
The Customs boss who was represented on the occasion by the Deputy Comptroller
General (DCG) Investigation, Inspection and Enforcement, Tahir Musa, said that
the unit would ensure that Nigeria was not used as a dumping ground for
smuggled poultry products, which he said was not the best for human
consumption.
General (DCG) Investigation, Inspection and Enforcement, Tahir Musa, said that
the unit would ensure that Nigeria was not used as a dumping ground for
smuggled poultry products, which he said was not the best for human
consumption.
He said, “During this period, our operatives will intercept smuggled products,
seize and destroy them in line with the provisions of extant laws and
regulations. Like the wayward chic, there will be no hiding place for smuggled
chicken in our land. Our hawks will descend and mop them out of circulation.
“As we roll out our guns
smoking, we are strengthened by the outcome of recent medical research which
reconfirmed our fears about the health hazards of consuming smuggled products.
smoking, we are strengthened by the outcome of recent medical research which
reconfirmed our fears about the health hazards of consuming smuggled products.
“We need to send a collective
message to the exporter countries that Nigeria can no longer be a dumping site
for products that have outlived their usefulness.”
message to the exporter countries that Nigeria can no longer be a dumping site
for products that have outlived their usefulness.”
He noted that there has been
increased smuggling activities of poultry products despite efforts by the
Customs to check the situation.
increased smuggling activities of poultry products despite efforts by the
Customs to check the situation.
“We have received commendations
but from time to time, this menace rears its ugly head and that is why we have
decided to march by launching this operation so that we can mop it up and in a
sustainable manner so that no smuggled poultry products come into the country”,
he said.
but from time to time, this menace rears its ugly head and that is why we have
decided to march by launching this operation so that we can mop it up and in a
sustainable manner so that no smuggled poultry products come into the country”,
he said.
According to the customs boss,
the special unit will be in operation in Ogun, Lagos and Oyo states for about
three months.
the special unit will be in operation in Ogun, Lagos and Oyo states for about
three months.
He called on security agencies
to cooperate with the Customs by giving vital information that will lead to the
apprehension of smugglers.
to cooperate with the Customs by giving vital information that will lead to the
apprehension of smugglers.
Also, a total of 8,000 cartons
of smuggled poultry products were destroyed as part of the launch of the ‘Hawk
Descend’.
The Director General, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Onallo Akpa
disclosed that 80 percent of smuggled poultry products come into the country
from Benin Republic.
of smuggled poultry products were destroyed as part of the launch of the ‘Hawk
Descend’.
The Director General, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) Onallo Akpa
disclosed that 80 percent of smuggled poultry products come into the country
from Benin Republic.
Akpa said, “We cannot continue
to have this in our country ,while the economy of other countries continue to
develop. If we allow this to continue, what will be the fate of investment in
this country? What will be the fate of employment created by this industry for
Nigerians?”
to have this in our country ,while the economy of other countries continue to
develop. If we allow this to continue, what will be the fate of investment in
this country? What will be the fate of employment created by this industry for
Nigerians?”
