News

Customs Releases Bullion Van, N24. 489 Million Seized Two Years Ago

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

The Ogun II Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has released a bullion van seized on April 22, 2022, for being used to conceal 12 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each into the country.

Handing over the bullion van, with registration number FKJ 993 BZ and a sum of N24,489,500.00, seized with the 12 bags of foreign parboiled rice, the Ogun II Area Controller, Bisi Alade, disclosed that the vehicle belongs to Warehouse Ltd, while the money belongs to Access Bank PLC Abeokuta Branch.

Alade disclosed that both the vehicle and the money were detained by officers and men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each into the country.

He said, “On the instruction of the Comptroller General Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, we gather here today, to release the bullion van with registration number FKJ 993 BZ in our custody.

“The vehicle belongs to Warehouse Ltd while the money belongs to Access Bank PLC, Abeokuta Branch and both were detained by the Officers and Men of the Joint Border Patrol Team for being used to conceal some bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each.

“On 22 April 2022, officers and men of Joint Border Patrol Team at the Olorunda axis, in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State, intercepted the used bullion van with Reg. No. FKY 993 BZ found to have concealed some bags of foreign parboiled rice and N24,489,500.00, along the Sokoto-ljoun/Joga road, Abeokuta axis of Ogun State.

“The foreign parboiled rice which were 12 bags of 50kg each were carefully concealed in the said vehicle.

“Consequently, the said vehicle and the items were conveyed to the Customs House, Abeokuta for safekeeping. After conducting examination on the vehicle, the said amount of money was discovered and deposited at Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abeokuta branch for safekeeping.

“The vehicle was detained while the rice was converted to seizure in line with section 168 of Nigeria Customs Service Act,2023.

“In connection to the above seizures, three suspects were arrested, detained, granted administrative bail and subsequently charged to Court for aiding smuggling.

“In a bid to retrieve the detained bullion van and the money, the Bankers Warehouse Ltd and Access Bank wrote an appeal letter to the Controller General of Customs, for release on compassionate ground. Based on the outcome of the investigation and recommendations of the Investigation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, the CGC granted approval for the release of the detained van and the money in line with the provision of section 248 (1) and (2) of NCS Act,2023.”

Speaking on revenue generated by the command, Alade disclosed that a total of N21. 657 billion was generated as revenue for the year 2023.

He said, “the command generated a total sum of over N2. 042 billion as revenue only for the month of November 2023, while a total revenue generated for the year 2023 stood at over N21. 657 billion”

“The service will not relent its efforts in discharging its statutory mandate as empowered by the law. We shall continue to encourage trade, production and expansion of industrial activities in Ogun State, as well as continue to deploy intelligence for effective monitoring and robust stakeholders’ engagement in our operations.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

12 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.