Border Closure: Customs Intercepts Rice Smuggled in Gas Cylinders

Abiola Seun

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday announced the interception of foreign parboiled rice smuggled inside gas cylinders from Benin Republic.

The rice which worth N28 million was intercepted alongside vegetable oil and poultry products.

In the statement made available to newsmen by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Jerry Attah, the Customs Area Controller, DC Usman Yahaya warned that unless the economic saboteurs repent from their unscrupulous activities, they will continue to count their losses.

He however advised legitimate traders to be compliant in their declarations as the unit is ever ready to facilitate their trade in line with world best practices.

The statement reads, “Ag. Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Usman Yahaya’s unrelenting effort has continued to yield more result in its anti-smuggling drives.

This is coming barely two weeks after the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) paid a working visit to Lagos where he showcased various seizures made by FOU A worth over N10 billion.

“The Unit has again intercepted 1,393 bags of smuggled foreign parboiled rice, 187 jerrycans/66 drums of foreign vegetable oil 625 Cartons of poultry products and 50 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil from unapproved routes within Ogun State between 5th -17th February 2020 based on surveillance and routine patrol.”

He also stated that the contraband which were concealed in different vehicles worth N40million

“The rice, vegetable Oil and poultry products were conveyed in 12 different motor vehicles and also concealed in gas cylinders with a cumulative duty paid value of N40 million. This desperate act by these dare devil smugglers concealing edible items in a gas cylinder further justifies the hard chase by operatives of Customs.

Giving the breakdown of the seizures, he said ” the Duty Paid Value (DPV) Break down of the seized items are Rice N27,860,000.00, Veg. Oil N6,284,250.00 and frozen Poultry N6,000,000.00)

“While thanking the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service for providing necessary logistics and motivation that led to this feat, Ag. Comptroller Usman Yahaya called on all meaningful Nigerians to support the Service’s fight against smuggling activities by providing intelligence that could assist the unit achieve more monumental seizures.”