By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja-Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.237 billion.
The Unit also recovered N728.98 million in revenue through targeted enforcement operations against under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud.
The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, said the seizures and revenue recovery reflected the Unit’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic frontiers, securing government revenue and safeguarding legitimate businesses from the effects of smuggling.
Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.
The Unit also intercepted 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres, as well as 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each.
Other seizures included 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled items.
Aliyu described the revenue recovery as encouraging, stressing that the Unit would continue to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other customs infractions.
He urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to make accurate declarations and comply fully with extant customs laws and regulations.
According to him, the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses involved in smuggling and revenue evasion.
He said the interception of foreign rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited goods would help protect domestic industries, support national food security and safeguard government revenue.
The Comptroller added that the seizure of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances would contribute to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of harmful substances.
He noted that the recovery of elephant tusks further demonstrated the Service’s contribution to national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.
Aliyu explained that the enforcement activities were being conducted within a balanced framework that combines effective border enforcement with trade facilitation.
He attributed the successes to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, as well as the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.
He assured compliant traders of the NCS’ commitment to creating a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud and other forms of economic sabotage.
The NCS, through FOU ‘A’, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.
The Unit also appreciated the support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute to its enforcement efforts.
Aliyu called for sustained partnership with the business community and the general public, noting that collective compliance and vigilance were essential to consolidating gains in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety and national economic development.
Hussaini Abdullahi, ANIPR
Chief Superintendent of Customs
Customs Public Relations Officer
