FOU seizes 112 contrabands worth N1.3 billion in 3 weeks

…Arrests 12 suspects

In what has now become a routine exercise, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again seized 112 prohibited items smuggled into the country with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.34 billion within three weeks.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) zone A of the service, Comptroller Muhammad Ubah while taking journalists on the tour of the seizures, added that 12 suspect were arrested in connection with the seizures which were made between 16th May and June 12 in the zone.

Ubah maintained that the unit was able to achieve the feat due to it’s reinvigorated anti smuggling operations.

He also said that the unit through its interventions recovered N59, 506, 773.25 from underpayments thereby making a cumulative of N1, 405, 079, 086 during the three weeks.

Explaining further, he said that four containers with numbers, PCIU850134/9, PCIU8278544, FCIU983753 and TGHU6924330, were also seized for false declaration.

He explained that while two of the containers were carrying 8, 633 pieces of empty cylinders as against plumbing materials declared in their SGD, the other two carried 120 bales of new jeans as against punching machine declared in the SGD.

“The detained/ seized items include, 15exotic vehicles including, 3 Toyota C-HR(2018 models), 1 Toyota Hilux(2017) 1 Ford F150(2017) 1 Pajero Jeep(2017) 1 Mercedes Benz(2017) amongst others. Other spectacular seizures include, 9,049 bags of foreign parboiled rice (15 trailers) 1,464 cartons of frozen poultry products, 870 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 273 bales of used clothing, 592 pieces of used tyres”

The operations arm boss of NCS stated further that the unit had beamed it’s searchlight on creeks, watersides and other locations.

“In order to ensure full implementation of government policy banning we have re-strategized our operational modalities and beam our searchlight at creeks, watersides and at various in southwest zone. Hence the reason for the massive rice seizure within the period under review.

He advised smugglers to desist from economic sabotage as the unit is committed to chase them out of market.

“We will continue to make sure smugglers within our area of jurisdiction count their losses until they repent from sabotaging our economy. As you already know smuggling is a global phenomenon that cannot be eradicated entirely but if all hands are on deck it will be reduced to its barest minimum”

He therefore commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd) for his support and the officers of the unit for their commitment.

“Let me commend our officers who have pit their lives on the line making sure that these seizures most especially the 15 trailer load of rice knowing fully well it’s a big battle at the Creek and bush part” he concluded.