Customs CG approves evacuation of seized rice to IDP camp

By Babalola Yusuf |

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has approved the evacuation of 25,318 bags of foreign parboiled rice seized by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja to the camp of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), Borno state.

The Customs Area Controller Of the unit, Compt. Mohammed Uba, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the directive came after court processes and condemnation.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, after Court processes and Condemnation, the Presidential Committee on IDPS chaired by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has approved the evacuation of the following items to Borno State Government for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NASCT).

“25,318 bags of Rice 50gk (42 Traillers), 3,366 jerrycans of 25 liters, 175 gallons of vegetable oil(5 litres), 1,564 bales and 122 sacks of second hand clothing, 196 sacks and 938 pairs of used shoes,hence the reason you see trucks lined up by the Government warehouse wall “.

In the same vein, the Unit said it intercepted nine trailers load of smuggled rice numbering about 5,516 bags and recovered N1.039 billion for the federal government.
Also intercepted are 30 exotic vehicles, 1068 cartons of frozen poultry products, 216 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 683 pieces of used tyres and sacks of Indian Hemp.
“Having deepened our anti- smuggling operations between April 10th to May 15 2018, we have intercepted various contrabands and other goods on detention with a duty paid value (DPV) of N1.10billion.

“The unit through its interventions also recovered N29million from under-payments making a cumulative of N1. 39billion within the weeks under review.”
“The detained/seized items include: 30 Exotic vehicles including 7 Toyota Hilux (2018 models), 3 Toyota Prado Jeep (2017), 1 Range Rover, 1 Ford Edge (2015), 5,516 bags of foreign parboiled rice (9 trailers), 1,078 cartons of frozen poultry products, 216 Jerry cans of vegetable oil, 173 bales of used clothing, 683 piece of used tyres, 8 sacks of Indian hemps weighing 134 kg among others.

Compt. Uba also noted at the press briefing that two containers were seized for alleged false declarations and N25million recovered from the importers.
His words, “Also, two containers with no: MSKU130295/2 and MRKU877714/0 have been seized for false declaration with a DPV of over N25 million alone.”
The CAC also read riot act to smugglers saying the unit will make the zone unfavorable for them.

“We will continue to make this zone uncomfortable for smugglers to operate and urge every Nigerian to be patriotic and report any smuggling activities in their areas to the Service and any intelligence provided will be treated in confidence.

“Let me advise these economic saboteurs as well as fraudulent importers to invest their resources towards legitimate trade and desist from engaging in smuggling activities, as the Service and indeed the Unit will not renege on our statutory functions most especially in suppressing smuggling.”