Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), through its courier arm, EMS Nigeria has intercepted fake financial instruments valued at more than N300 billion from 2011 to date, as part of efforts to rid Nigeria of fraudsters and stem the negative image hanging over the country.

Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba, postmaster – general of the federation and chief executive officer of NIPOST, said this yesterday during the 2014 customer forum of EMS Nigeria while delivering a keynote titled: “Sustaining national security and economic development through the post”.

Represented by Mallam Yashim Bitiyong, deputy postmaster-general, counters department of NIPOST,  Mori Baba also said EMS Nigeria managers across the country, in conjunction with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) helped in the successful arrest of more than 50 suspected drug culprits.

He stated that other successful interceptions included lots of security items such as stun guns, binoculars, cameras, bullet proof vests, camouflage uniforms, etc.

“We have equipment, robust mechanism and experts to check items introduced into the post as well as cordial working relationship with relevant security agencies, in contributing to safety and security of our country, customers and general public,” he said.

According to him, the post office worldwide has zero tolerance for introduction of prohibitive items into post, such as arms and ammunition, psychotropic substances and other illegal substances, stressing that security was everybody’s challenge and that NIPOST as an organisation would continue to take the issue of security seriously.

On his part, Mr. Osadolor Eboigbodin, outgoing general manager of EMS Nigeria, reiterated that EMS Nigeria takes the security of mail and the problem of mail fraud seriously, noting that as at the end of 2013, Stop Order request received from the Foreign Postal Administrations stood at 801 against 939 in 2012, indicating that mail fraud was on the decline.

“We are not resting on our oars on this trend as we are in good working relationship with relevant security agencies to carry our seizure of fraudulently sourced items,” he said.

He noted that EMS Nigeria had received full production certification from UPU/EMS Cooperative in Berne, Switzerland, ascertaining that NIPOST ICT facility and visibility/track and trace of mail items on the internet and their transmission and sharing with senders and addressees, as well as fellow designated postal addresses globally met international standards.