Customs deepens onslaught on smugglers, intercepts goods worth N2.56b in 18 days

The leadership of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), intercepted various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N2,557,261,280.6 only  from 1st-19th March, 2018.

Announcing the feat while conducting media executives round the warehouse where the items were kept, the Customs Area Controller, Mr. Mohammed Uba, said the fight against economic saboteurs in south-west zone is yielding results.

He said “After an intensive onslaught on dare devil smugglers deploying our tactical operational modalities, we have made remarkable seizure which will further discourage more Nigerians in indulging in economic sabotage”.

According to him, “The seized items include: 16 Exotic vehicles mostly 2017 model, 7,201 bags of foreign parboiled rice (12 trailers), 1,172 cartons of frozen poultry products, 1,352 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 72 bales of used clothing, 464 pieces of used tyres, 407 sacks of Pangolin scales, and 629 pieces of textile Ankara Material among others”.

“Remarkably, among the seizures was the interception of 8 trucks laden with 3,351 bags of rice and 669 jerrycans of vegetable oil along Iseyin, Oyo/Osun Axis and also the evacuation of 1,253 bags of rice 50kg each from a warehouse in Ogbomosho based on credible intelligence despite resistance.

“You will recall that the ban on the importation of foreign rice through the land was to encourage efficiency in local production.  Therefore, the need to support the Federal Government policy on Rice, encourage local rice farmers, the millers and patronize our own nutritional rice cannot be over emphasized.

Among the detained vehicles include 2 Lexus Jeep (RS350 2016,2017 model), 1 Rolls Royce, 1 Lincoln Limousine (2014), 3 Toyota Camry(2009,2013 and 2017 models), 1 Toyota Rav 4, 1 Toyota Avalon (2016) 1Toyota Tundra, 1 Dodge among others . These 16 exotic Vehicles alone have a duty paid value of N340,770,509.055 only.

Uba revealed that “While 6 vehicles were evacuated based on intelligence along Lekki Epe Expressway, the remaining 10 were intercepted while on information patrol at various locations. The vehicles are still under detention pending the grace period allowed for the owners to bring relevant customs document”.

The command also made another strategic seizure of a total of 407 sacks of Pangolin Scales weighing 10,263kg, evacuated from an apartment at64 Opebi Road, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja Lagos within the weeks under review. It would be recalled that few weeks ago, the same banned endangered specie was confiscated from a Chinese national who is now undergoing investigations.

The 407 sacks of Pangolin Scales has a duty paid value of N2,094,243,456.69

Explaining more on the seized products of Pangolin Scales, an endangered specie, the Customs boss averred that “In the spirit of inter-agency cooperation the pangolin scales and the suspect will be handed over to Nigeria Environment Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation in collaboration towards protecting our natural habitat and protecting our endangered species Five (5) suspects have been arrested in connection with these 89 seizures”.

In an exclusive chat with Business Hilights, Uba thanked the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire Management Team of the NCS for appreciating his team exploits with a commendation letter and providing necessary logistics that superintended the feats.

He assured advanced fight against economic saboteurs who he said, want to ruin the Nigerian economy at all cost.

SUMMARY OF SEIZURES 1^ST TO 19^TH MARCH, 2018

NOTE

TOTAL DPV                        N 2,557,261,280.6                                                              

TOTAL SEIZURE                  89                               

MEANS OF CONVEYANCE   23 

SUSPECTS                         5