By Steve Agbota
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, intercepted 11 containers loaded with timber and unprocessed wood worth $296,000 on the verge of being smuggled out of Nigeria.
*Daily Sun* learnt that the particulars of the 11 containers with the contraband are: TRLU9354677; MRKU9991028; MSKUS051480; MRKU7071648; TCLU2179830; TCLU2179830; MSKUS894593 and MSKUS051480.
Others are: MRKU7071648; TCLU2543324; MSKU3929849; MSKUS894593; GAOU2550990; MSKU7323470 and MSKUS953248.
However, speaking to journalists, the Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Jibola Odusanya, said the illegal export consignment was intercepted at the barge area of Apapa Port on 11 October 2024.
He said: “Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), following the discharge of some export-bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on 11 October 2024, intercepted and detained these containers suspected of being used for smuggling.
“A total of 11 units of 20ft containers fully laden with rough/sawn timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to have a market value of $295,944.00. On 1 November 2024, the LEXC scheduled the suspected containers for 100% physical examination, and they were found to contain raw and processed timber, which contravenes Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff.”
“Going by the provisions of Sections 148, 149 and 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the detained containers are hereby being converted to seizures.”
Comptroller Odusanya, however, said that the seizure would serve as a deterrent to any person or exporter planning to smuggle restricted items out of the country.
“I reiterate that we have a resolve not to sacrifice compliance on the altar of trade facilitation as we shall always prevent the export of any consignment that runs in conflict with the laws of our country.
“While we are yet to apprehend the culprits behind this criminal act, we expect these seizures to serve as a deterrent to any person or export trader planning to perpetrate a similar offence. I assure you that the long arm of the law will catch up with anyone who dares our resolve.
“This further underscores the CGC’s zero tolerance for smuggling, even in the area of export. It goes further to confirm our alertness, with the support of other units within the service and sister government agencies, to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export.”
“I want to use this opportunity to, once again, urge our small, medium and large-scale exporters to take advantage of our easy processes and the window of opportunities provided by the Federal Government to encourage export trade. We shall continue to engage our partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC, following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024,” he explained.