The Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) continues to pound die-hard smugglers from all corners, thus prompting the latest seizure records of 17 Vehicles, 13 Trailer Loads of Rice, Indian Hemp and other goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.2billion
The leadership of the Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos is not resting on its oars in its determined move to eradicate smuggling activities in the South west Zone. The FOU Zone A is charged with the responsibility of policing the entire region of South west against smuggling in illicit products. The acting Area Controller of FOU Zone A, Hussein Ejibunu, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs has vowed that throughout his stay at the command as its leader, all economic saboteurs in the guise of smugglers and their accomplices in the zone will never have a relief until they are ready to eschew their heinous crime against the Nigerian state.
Thus, the FOU Zone ‘A’ has announced the seizure of items in the month of November which include 17 vehicles, trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice, Indian hemp, premium motor spirit, tyres and numerous other items which Duty Paid Value (DPV) amounts to N1,241,777,700.
At a press briefing in Lagos to showcase the seizures on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the Acting CAC, Ejibunu said that in its continuous quest to prevent revenue loss through various infractions such as under-valuation, under-payments and wrong classification, the sum of N115,456,534.94 was collected by the Unit through the instrument of Demand Notice (DN) to defaulters.
While giving the breakdown of the seized items, he said, “We were able to seize a total of 7,381 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers. This amounts to almost thirteen trailer loads of rice”.
He stated further, “A total of seventeen vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. For the avoidance of doubts
Our officers also intercepted 593 jerrycans (14,825 litres) of premium motor spirit. Because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed of them in line with laid down due process. Other seizures include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39 bales of second hand-clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces”
Ejibunu appealed to all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to continue to support the Unit with credible information that will assist in battling economic sabotage.
