LAGOS —  The  Western Marine Command, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS,  weekend,  said the synergy between it and the Intelligence Unit had helped in stemming smuggling in 2013.

The command’s Comptroller, Mr. Zaka Audu, said  in Lagos that the successes achieved in the fight against smugglers was the result of teamwork.

Audu said the command needed the assistance of other stations of the command to tackle smugglers because they were usually many and armed.

“Since smugglers are armed and many, Customs officers will need help from co-officers in out- stations to confront them.

“Before, when we confronted these smugglers, they jumped into water and our officers also jumped in in an attempt to catch them and eventually get killed,” he said.

He said that the command with its headquarters in Lagos covered coastal areas of Kebbi, Igbokoda in Ondo State, Yekeme in Badagry and Idiroko as well as the entire South-West.

The comptroller stated that the efforts of the command had led to the seizure of contraband goods worth N29.5 million on December 31, 2013.

“The seizure on December 31 was between Badagry, Yekeme and Idiroko out-stations. It was a seizure done within 24 hours and with information.

“And because the smugglers were armed, the officers came together to over-power them.

“The suspects jumped into the water and left the goods which were impounded,” Audu said.