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By Steve Agbota
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 11 containers loaded with timber and unprocessed woods worth $296,000 on the verge of being smuggled out of Nigeria.
The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Compt. Jibola Odusanya, said the illegal export were Intercepted at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11.
“Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the 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 October 11, 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.
He said the seizure will serve as 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 run 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 perpetuate similar offences.
I assure that the long arms of the law would catch up with anyone that 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.”
