Customs enforces anti-smuggling laws, seizes 13 trailers of rice, others worth N1.2bn in South West

By Abiodun OBA

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is sustaining its resolve to protect Nigeria’s economy by uncompromisingly enforcing the anti-smuggling laws.

This is as the acting Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed while addressing the media on Tuesday that its officers seized 7,381 units of 50 kg of foreign parboiled rice (13 trailers) from smugglers in the south-west region of the country in October.

The unit further revealed other seizures, which included 17 imported vehicles, 593 jerry cans (14,825 litres) of premium motor spirit, 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg), parcels of Indian hemp, 39 bales of second-hand clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, units of used motorcycles, and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces, amongst others.

“As I have always stated, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, is sustaining its resolve to protect Nigeria’s economy by uncompromisingly enforcing the anti-smuggling laws.

“This is just as intelligence reports gathered over the years indicated a higher degree of desperation by economic saboteurs to smuggle during the yuletide periods.

“While noting this challenge, we have fully deployed the improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir A. Adeniyi, MFR, which provided support for our officers with strategic manpower placements to achieve our ongoing drive to suppress smuggling.

“Our reviewed strategies have been paying off, as reflected in the seizures recently made by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, for October.

“Before reeling out the list of seizures, which amounts to N1,241,777,700 in duty-paid value, I want to state that this unit of the service under my watch will make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers in the interest of our country.

“In our continuous quest to prevent revenue loss through various infractions such as under-valuation, under-payments, and wrong classification, the sum of N115,456,534.94 was collected following the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.

“Rice has been a recurring commodity on our list of seizures across various borders in the south-west zone. We were able to seize a total of 7,381 units of 50 kg of foreign parboiled rice from smugglers. This amounts to almost thirteen trailer load of rice.

“A total of seventeen vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. “For the avoidance of doubts, let me state again that the ban on vehicle importation through land borders exists.

“Our officers also intercepted 593 jerry cans (14.825 litres) of premium motor spirit. However, because of the volatility of this product, we have safely disposed of it in line with the laid-down due process.

“Other seizures include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202 kg); parcels of Indian hemp; 39 bales of second-hand clothing; 100 packs of tomato ketchup; Four units of used motorcycle; 600 cartons of GIV soap; and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.

“I am appealing to all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to continue to support the unit with credible information that will assist in battling economic sabotage.”