Follow Us on Google
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has vowed to renew its efforts in 2024 to foil attempts by smugglers at importing prohibited goods into its area of jurisdiction as well as recover all underpaid duties into the government’s coffers.
Comptroller for the Zone, Dalha Wada Chedi, who stated this in Kaduna told newsmen that top among the major seizures made in 2023 were 37 bales and four rolls of the Nigeria Police camouflage uniform and arrested four suspects in connection with the seizure at about 2.00 pm on December 15, 2023, along Lokoja-Abuja highway based on credible intelligence.
He added that the seized Police uniforms have been handed over to the Kaduna State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Kaduna State Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He said that was done in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to him, the zone seized hard drugs and other assorted goods at various intervals in the year 2023 worth about N4 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) from January 1 to December 31, 2023, representing about a 100 percent increase in seizures made compared to N2.3 billion made in 2022.
His words: “The onslaught by operatives of the Zone during the period under review yielded the total of 71 seizures of 12 different items intercepted at various locations in the Zone, which are of grave implications to the health and safety of Nigerians.
“I must also say that the extent of seizures we were able to make during the period is a fulfillment of our pledge that the Unit will ensure full compliance with the Federal Government directives on the closure of all land borders with the Niger Republic.
“Remarkably, among these 71 seized items was the arrest made on the 15th December, 2023 at about 1400hrs. Operatives of the Unit intercepted a container truck based on credible intelligence along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway suspected to be conveying prohibited items.
“After a 100% physical examination, 37 bales and 4 rolls of Nigeria Police camouflage uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
“The breakdown showed that, due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the FOU, Zone B Operatives, eight used vehicles, as well as two means of conveyance were impounded during the period.
“Also as a result of the constant patrol of our operatives, the Zone was able to seize 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), which would have made their way into the markets, and consumed by the people, despite the hazards, some of such imported grains posed to health.
“The vigilance of the operatives of the Unit during the period likewise led to the interception and seizure of 877 Jerry cans (25 litres each) of petroleum motor spirit (PMS).
“However in line with the extant laws and guidelines as directed by the Customs Headquarters, the PMS that were seized have been auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government”, he explained.
Other seizures made during the period include; 240 bales of foreign second-hand clothing, 10 jerry cans of foreign refined vegetable Oil (25 litres each), 415 cartons of foreign spaghetti, macaroni, and couscous, 349 cartons of foreign new shoes (unisex), 500mg of 3,400 sachets of foreign Amoxicillin and 35 cartons of foreign flame lighters.
