The camps of die-hard smugglers in the South-west region now witness regular pounding from all sides reminiscent of the famous 1980s novel, One Week, One Trouble on account of intensified efforts by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos to eradicate smuggling. In the wake of its latest onslaught, the command intercepts 11 truckloads of Rice, Indian Hemp and others worth N813million
The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded yet another seizure of different items which include 6,911 x 50kg bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice, totalling over 11 truck-loads as well as other sundry items including 345 kg of Indian Hemp, 486 cartons of frozen poultry products and 368 pieces of used tyres.
Leader of the FOU Zone A, acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Deputy Comptroller Kehinde Hussein Ejibunu stated this on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 in Lagos.
He said that 91 seizures were recorded within the month of August 2023 alone with 12 suspects in connection with some of the seizures.
The other seizures according to him are; 394 cartons of Codeine, 13 used vehicles (Tokunbo vehicles) 32 cartons of expired batteries, 1 X 40 ft container FTC, one used Toyota Corolla and 49 pieces of car rims.
Others are; 552 pieces of car used tyres, 205 pieces of used truck tyres and 32 pieces of motorcycle tyres. 292 bales of Used Clothes, as well as 13,525 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The CAC while showcasing the seizures said that the seizures recorded within the month of August 2023, have a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N813,058,345
“The attention of the public is hereby drawn to the dangers posed by the importation of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) because of its effect on criminal minded people and our youths.
“Similarly, the importation of foreign parboiled rice and poultry products is an adversary to the economy of the local farmers.
“Smuggling of prohibited items such as used shoes, illicit drugs, used clothes and used tyres are giving serious health concerns.
“On our part, we shall continue to partner with well-meaning citizens by soliciting for timely and useful information to curb smuggling. While we advise members of the public to be guided by the Import and Export Prohibition Lists for compliance.
“It is sad to note that some Nigerians would pay all duties and levies payable to the Customs authorities of other countries they import from, while they make conscious efforts to evade such payments into the federal government coffers.
“On revenue recovery, the sum of N81,449,373.38 was made through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.
“I am using this medium to thank all patriotic Nigerians that provided useful information that led to some arrests, and also the compliant traders and importers for complying with the extant laws. While the recalcitrant ones are advised to stop because it is a crime.
“We are also expressing our gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the additional logistics supply of two (2) trucks for the evacuation of seizures and a towing truck” he said.
