In 2023, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Units Zone A, Ikeja, reported a substantial accomplishment, disclosing that it had conducted 1,119 seizures of contrabands with an estimated value of N10 billion. The Customs Area Controller, Hussein Ejibunnu, shared this information during a press briefing on Wednesday at the command headquarters.
Ejibunnu highlighted that the seizures encompassed a diverse range of items, including 83,170 bags of foreign rice equivalent to 139 trailers. He provided a breakdown of the total duty paid value of the seizures, amounting to N10,395,123,943. The confiscated items spanned various categories, such as vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tires, poultry products, footwear, and petroleum products.
Of notable significance among the seizures was foreign parboiled rice, constituting the majority with 139 trailer loads, equivalent to 83,170 bags weighing 50kg each. This achievement underscores the Customs Service’s commitment to curbing illegal activities and enforcing regulations to ensure the integrity of the nation’s trade and customs operations.
I feel betrayed by Obaseki – Shaibu
Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has expressed a profound sense of betrayal by Governor Godwin Obaseki for not supporting his candidacy in the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election. Shaibu, who reluctantly assumed the role of deputy governor to Obaseki, claimed to have contributed significantly to his principal’s administration in terms of political structure and financial support.
In an interview on Arise TV, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant revealed that he was initially hesitant to become deputy governor and was persuaded over the course of a month. He accepted the role with the intention of enhancing the electoral prospects of Obaseki, who was relatively unknown in politics at the time.
Expressing his dismay, Shaibu stated, “I feel betrayed by the governor. I feel very betrayed.” He highlighted his substantial contributions, including the use of his vehicles for the 2016 campaign, losing political capital in Edo North, and providing financial support for Obaseki’s reelection bid.
The deputy governor, who hails from the same Edo North Senatorial District as former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has been embroiled in a longstanding feud with Obaseki over his political ambitions. Shaibu had previously sought legal intervention, filing a case in an Abuja High Court to prevent any attempt by Obaseki and the state House of Assembly to impeach him during the height of the political discord.
