Briefing Journalists on Wednesday, head of the unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba explained that another set of 11 vehicles were intercepted along Ijebu Ode Expressway, Ogun State.
Mohammed Uba said: “As I speak to you, nobody has come to claim ownership. Let me use this opportunity to urge the owners of these vehicles to come forward with valid Customs clearance documents otherwise they will be liable to Seizure and subsequent Forfeiture to the Federal Government in-line with laws of the land.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our action is in-line with the provisions of Sections 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (power to search premises), Section 158 of CEMA, Cap 45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria (power to patrol freely).
Among the detained vehicles include 1 Mercedes benz G-500 (2016), 6 Toyota Hiace Bus (2018), 3 Lexus GX460and Lx570 (2017) 1 Toyota Hilux (2017), 1 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado,(2016)1 Toyota Hilux bullet proof (2014) , 1Toyota Corolla (2018), 2 Toyota Camry (2016) 1 Honda Civic (2016), 1 Honda Accord (2016), 1 Dodge Charger (2016), among others.
The 21 Vehicles have a duty paid value of Four Hundred and Eighty Four Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira, Ninety Two kobo (N484,458,778,92).
Remarkably among the seizures was the interception of an Iveco Truck with registration number LAM283 LG along Ijebu Ode- Ore Road carrying 498 cartons of CSP Codeine Cough Syrup 100ml with each carton containing 200 bottles.
Customs explained that the seizures recorded between June 13th to July 24th , 2018 amounted to a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.2Billion.
Other seized items include: 9,504 bags of foreign parboiled rice (15 trailers),436 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 333 cartons of frozen poultry products, 287 bales of used clothing,198 pieces of used tyres, among others.
The Customs chief said: “its our obligation to support the Federal Government policy on Rice, encourage local rice farmers, the millers and patronize our own nutritional rice which by significance will create employment opportunities for our unemployed teaming youths”.
Within the period under review, the unit also recovered Sixty Seven Million, Three Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Naira, Five kobo only (N67,375,670.5) making a cumulative of One Billion, One Hundred and Eighty Eight Million, Ninety Thousand, Nine Naira, (N1,188,090,009).
Meanwhile, ten (10) suspects have been arrested in connection with these 143 seizures.
