According to ThisDayLive, the destruction of the items, which are high on the Import Prohibition List (IPL) periodically reviewed by the Federal Ministry of Finance and enforced by the Customs High Command, followed what NCS called a “massive seizure” of over 6,000 cartons of assorted poultry products.

Customs Area Controller (CAC), FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Dan Ugo, who made this disclosure while conducting journalists round the seized goods said the items have a duty paid value (DPV) of N25.2 million.

He explained that the command had no choice other than to ensure strict compliance with the marching order of the Customs Comptroller General, Alhaji Inde Dikko Abdullahi, and his management team on zero tolerance for importation of poultry products.

He reiterated the determination of men and officers of FOU to remain on top of its anti-smuggling campaign through what he called “intensified intelligence networks” which has proven very effective in the actualisation of NCS objectives.

“The Comptroller General of Customs has provided the platform for these successes through his various capacity building programmes aimed at equipping officers with the necessary skills for better performance”, he said.

Comptroller Ugo said, “The unit would do everything within its powers to nip in the bud the activities of these unpatriotic and unscrupulous elements that have constituted a clog in the economic wheel of progress of the nation.”

Meanwhile, the military Commandant of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Command (MMAC), Ikeja Lagos, Group Captain Joseph Yamta Malgwi, has paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Ugo in his office.

Mr Malgwi stated that the visit showcased his desire to collaborate with critical agencies of government with a view to exploring ways of building synergy to tackle security challenges at the airport.

He lauded NCS and FOU for what he described as the monumental contributions of the service in terms of revenue collection and internal security.

Welcoming the Commandant and his entourage, Mr Ugo assured him of the determination of FOU to continue to contribute its quota towards national development.

He noted that the unit has been involved in rescue and sanitisation operations at the MMAC and environs in the recent past and will not relent in that regard.

He also noted that the military background of the Commandant gives him a comparative advantage in his assignment as he, no doubt, posses the capacity and capability to excel.