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From Uche Usim, Abuja
In line with its anti-smuggling drive, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller General’s compliance team has made 156 assorted seizures with a duty paid value (DPV) of over N3 million in the last two months within Zone A.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the service, Joseph Attah, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, said the feat was achieved by the Coordinator of the CGC’s Compliance Team, Musa Jalo. He quoted Jalo as saying that his team would not relent on its complementary role of ensuring compliance with the extant laws guiding imports and exports in Nigeria.
He lamented the unrepentant attitude of some smugglers who continue to defy laid down regulations just to make money.
His words: “Smugglers don’t care about our health or national economy and security well being. Their interest is only on the profit they stand to make if they succeed in beating the checks,” he quoted Jalo as saying.
He added: “Customs operatives are aware that some misguided elements still think they can take advantage of the festive period to smuggle in unwholesome rice and frozen chicken products with the view of making quick money, not caring about the health implications to Nigerians.
“We have a duty to stop this and we will continue to do just that. The items seized include 8,500 bags of smuggled rice, 6,410 cartons of frozen poultry products (already destroyed); 540 jumbo bales of second hand clothes, 3,787 pieces of used tyres.
Jalo added that the seizures were made around Idiriko, Seme and Lagos/Shagamu Expressway.
“Already, five persons have been arrested in connection with the seizures and the CGC, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, has directed thorough investigation with a view to charging all those involved to court,” he added.
