Nigerian importers seal Chinese warehouses over illegal deals

 Tayo Oladipupo

The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Task Force on Illegal Importation, South West Zone said it sealed five warehouses belonging to Chinese firms between January and February over unapproved regulations and permits by the federal government.

IMAN also disclosed that a total of ten containers of 6 by 20ft and 4by 40ft with various infractions ranging from concealments, smuggled goods brought into the country were intercepted in various parts of Lagos State.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Chief Operating Officer (COO), IMAN Special Taskforce South West Zone, Prosper Okolo said some of the affected warehouses were found to have contravened import laws and duty infractions.

Okolo noted that some of the warehouses visited by the team involved in the illicit acts are owned by foreigners, mostly Chinese.

While highlighting some of the companies  allegedly involved  in some of the nefarious  illegal activities ,the  COO fingered  Megachem Nigeria Limited, Kevolinks  Digital Limited, Kwikfit  Nigeria  Limited,  Inomek Nigeria Limited and Bosac Nigeria Limited as some of the perpetrators.

Okolo noted that “Aside from the concealments, some of them short-paid the government  to the tune of billions of Naira.

“The IMAN Special  Task  Force on illegal  importations  through  credible intelligence  has recorded  tremendous successes  since it started its enforcement  activities  in the first two months  of 2019.

“Within the period, the Task force also received credible intelligence  of some warehouses  involved in production  and importations of fake and sub-standards products without  approval from the Standards Organisation  of Nigeria (SON)  and National  Agency for Food,  Drugs Administration and Control  (NAFDAC) regulations.

“The task force has so far sealed 5 warehouses which were found to deal in importation of tyres, used clothing, unwholesome products among others without the required regulations and permits.

According to him, the association is working  in partnership  with  the Nigerian  Police Force (NPF)   in Abuja   through  intelligence  and enforcement  of its mandates to checkmate illegal activities  of smuggling, fraud, illegal  importations, forgery, concealments and other economic  sabotage.

“These acts the task force sees as not only economic sabotage, but also endangering the lives of Nigerians as these tyres though new, have lost their value due to the way they were concealed and imported into the country.

“At this point, we want to reiterate that, the IMAN Special Task Force is not out to witch hunt anybody or organizations, neither is it to challenge or rub shoulders with any agency of government.

“But to complement  the efforts of the government  agencies  to rid our country  of nefarious  activities  perpetrated by unpatriotic  Nigerians and their foreign collaborators  who deprived  the country  of not only required  revenue,  but also pose danger to the health  of Nigerians.

Okolo further appealed  to all security agencies, especially  those involved  in imports,  exports and  other regulatory  functions  to collaborate  with  the  association.

“Finally we want to state that,  the IMAN  Special Task Force has  come to stay,  as such those involved  in economic sabotage,  even though  they might  have succeeded  in beating the enforcement  apparatus  of other agencies,  with the wider intelligence  network of our activities,  which is in direct collaboration  with  the Nigerian  public,  the IMAN special task force will not relent to hunt them down.

“Our appeal also goes to the importers, clearing agents and manufacturers to please abide by the regulatory and fiscal requirements in line with the law in carrying out their businesses.

”It is on this note we also appeal to members of the public to avail us with  the necessary  information regarding  import  frauds,  forgeries, concealments and smuggling activities   that will expose  these economic  saboteurs   of  their  unpatriotic  acts  to bring  them to justice.

“We have called you here today to brief you on the activities of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) Special Task Force on illegal importation into Nigeria”.

The IMAN Special Task Force which is duly registered and approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out its activities is headed by Deputy Inspector   General of Police, DIG Philemon Leha (Rtd), who is the Director General of the body.

IMAN  Special  Task Force  is a private sector initiative  set up by IMAN to assist other government  security  agencies  in the country  to checkmate the activities  of importers,  exporters and other business  organisations who are involved  in sabotaging   the efforts  of the Nigeria  government  in regulating and controlling influx of illegal  and dangerous  goods into  the Country.

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