Seme customs intercepts contrabands worth N95 million, blocks illegal routes.

Tayo Oladipupo I

The Seme command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 130 contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N95 million.

The contraband items are of different categories even as it said the command intercepted the items through compliance to intelligence-driven operations.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Compt. Mohammed Aliyu disclosed this while directing the construction of a wall fence to block illegal route that may purportedly be used by miscreants for various cross border crimes or vices.

He reiterated the Comptroller General’s alert to all border Commands on the need to maintain strict surveillance, as there is the possibility that the dare devil smugglers who have seen that the ports are impassable may try crossing through the borders.

Aliyu affirmed that the command was ensuring that all identified loop holes are fully sealed. He emphasized that the use of the functional scanner machine has made it impracticable for any concealment to pass through.

The Controller further stated that the command realized four hundred and thirty eight million, six hundred and eighty thousand, nine hundred and sixty four naira sixty four kobo only (N438, 680, 964.64) for the month of May, 2018.

“The Command’s commitment towards intelligence driven operations has led to the arrest and seizures of one hundred and thirty (130) contraband goods with a total duty paid value (DPV) of ninety five million, five hundred and three thousand, one hundred and sixty five naira only (N95, 503, 165.00).”

The Customs Area Controller, who is also the chairman of the Joint Border Security Meeting (JBSM), said he will ensure that effective collaboration among the security agencies at the border for efficient border management and security is not compromised. This is coming on the heels of a review of the operational strategies being implemented at the command.

Aliyu reiterated the command’s resolute determination in suppressing trans-border crimes to the barest minimum, as he promised that the command will continue to enforce the Federal Government Policies on all restricted and prohibited items through the ever busy Lagos-Abidjan international corridor.

He further reaffirmed his unflinching support to the reform agenda of the Comptroller General of customs, and assured that at the command level, he is working assiduously as a reformer to ensure that all anomalies that posed a threat to security of the Nation and trade facilitation are addressed and corrected.

The Controller finally advised all stakeholders operating at the border to engage only in legitimate trade transactions and adhere strictly to proper clearance procedures and guidelines.