Customs Arrest Smuggler with Fake NYSC Identification at Seme Border

By ZION Olalekan

The Seme customs command has arrested a car smuggler Abdul Umar for allegedly using a diplomatic plate number and 2015 fake National Youth Service Corp identification card as ploy to beat customs officers.

Abdul Umar was arrested on Tuesday along Seme border trying to smuggle into the country a vehicle; Renault Megane with duty paid value of N522,970.47

At the time of his arrest, Umar an indigene of Kaduna state, said to be working with some influential Nigerians, adding that he had the mobile number of the Inspector General of Police.

Meanwhile, the command also within the last two months says it has generated a total of N1, 260, 684, 226.91 as revenue while twenty-three vehicles, 4,745 bags of rice of rice among other sundry items were intercepted.

The grand total for both seizures and revenue is N1, 475, 050, 377. 91.

Speaking on the arrested smuggler, Seme Area Controller of Customs, Mohammed Uba told journalists that “When he was arrested, there was a letter containing number which states, call these numbers, otherwise call the IG. When we discovered this, we alerted the enforcement unit for investigation.

“In the nutshell, ID card, telephone numbers and calling embassy is not part of customs clearing process. Smugglers can use a lot of modalities to make sure they commit these atrocities.”

While interacting with the suspect, he denied having the IG’s number neither working for any influential Nigerians.

“I am a corper of 2015 batch but have not collected my NYSC certificate. I have problem with NYSC that is why I have not submitted my ID card in order to collect the certificate. I didn’t say I know the IG. I only assisted the owner of the car to pass through the border.

“The owner of the car is around. I don’t know anything about the numbers and diplomatic plate number on the card”, he stated.

Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Compt Mohammed said his officers within two months have seized 21 exotic cars along border ways because they have contravened importation procedures.

“Similarly, the intensified operation of the Enforcement unit has drastically reduced smuggling activities to the barest minimum.

“So far, we have seized 4,745 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 8 trailer trucks of rice worth N85,504,000. 27 jerry cans of vegetable oil of 25litres each, 34 bags of sugar”.

Among the seized items were 68 parcels of Tramadol, 10 parcels of Cannabis, 19 boxes of frozen seafood, 24 cartons Maggi were seized among others.

“The Command has so far generated the sum of New, 260,684,226.91,” Mohammed said.