*Makes 71 seizures worth over N406m



*Seizes thirty-seven bales, four rolls of Nigeria Police Camouflage Uniforms




As business activities resume in 2024, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B has vowed to prevent smugglers, with a view to boosting legitimate enterprises and giving the nation's economy a boost.



Comptroller Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone 'B' Kaduna, Dalha Wada Chedi, expressed this while briefing the press yesterday.

"I also need to assure the citizenry through you, members of the media, that the operatives of the unit in this New Year are poised like never before, to foil all attempts by smugglers at importing any prohibited goods into its area of jurisdiction as well as recover all underpaid duties into the government’s coffers," he said.



According to him, the onslaught by operatives of the unit during the period under review yielded the total of seventy-one (71) seizures of 12 different items intercepted at various locations in the zone, which are of grave implications to the health and safety of Nigerians.



"I must also say that the extent of seizures we were able to make during the period is a fulfillment of our pledge that the Unit will ensure full compliance with the FGN directives on closure of all land borders with Niger Republic.



"Remarkably among these 71 seized items was the arrest made on the 15th December, 2023 at about 1400hrs, the operatives of the unit arrested a container truck based on credible intelligence along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway suspected to be conveying prohibited items. After a 100% physical examination, thirty-seven bales and four (4) rolls of Nigeria Police Camouflage Uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck. Four (4) suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.



"Considering the nature of the items and its possibility of being utilized for nefarious activities by unscrupulous elements, the seized police camouflage uniforms, the 4 suspects together with the means of conveyance were all handed over to the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Kaduna State Command on Wednesday 27 December 2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs," he said.



Speaking further, he said, "It is also pertinent to let you know that the seizures were made in different parts of the Zone with the Duty Paid Value of Four hundred and Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Ninety-One Naira, Thirty-Four Kobo (₦406,924,091.34) only.



"The breakdown showed that, due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the FOU, Zone B operatives, Eight ( used vehicles as well as Two (2) Means of Conveyance were impounded during the period.



"Also as a result of the constant patrol of our operatives, the Unit was able to seize 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), which would have made their ways into the markets, and consumed by the people, despite the hazards, some of such imported grains posed to health," he added.



The Comptroller said that the vigilance of the operatives of the unit during the period, likewise led to the interception and seizure of 877 jerry-cans (25 litres each) of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).



"However, in line with the extant laws and guidelines as directed by the Customs Headquarters, the PMS that were seized have been auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government," he informed.



He said that other seizures made during the period include; 240 bales of Foreign Second Hand Clothing, 10 Jerry-cans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25 litres each), 415 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni and Couscous, 349 Cartons of Foreign New Shoes (Unisex), 500mg of 3,400 Sachets of Foreign Amoxicillin and 35 Cartons of Foreign Flame Lighters.



"Beyond this, suffice to say that despite the value of the 17 seizures made within the period, as stated above, we are proud to say that the Unit has seized hard drugs and other assorted goods at various intervals in the Year 2023 worth about Four Billion Naira (N4 billion) in Duty Paid Value(DPV) from 1st January to 31st December, 2023. This represents 100% increase in seizures made above total DPV of #2,345,155,577.38 that was seized in the year 2022. It is also an indication that the operatives of the Unit have up-the-ante in the fight against smuggling in the Zone.



"It is instructive to note that the recognition of the renewed effort of the operatives of the Unit led to the Customs Headquarters, giving the Unit a Letter of Commendation earlier in 2023. This development, I must say has contributed to the boosting of the morale of the Officers and Men of the Unit," he said.

The Comptroller therefore, on behalf of all the Officers and Men of the Unit; reiterate his commitment at enforcing the Federal Government Fiscal policies in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as our operatives are battle-ready to carry out our mandate effectively.



Speaking further, he described the media as key partners in fight against smuggling.



"The importance of media in the fight against smuggling cannot be overemphasized because it is a veritable tool for information dissemination and shaping public opinion. I urge you to continue to amplify our efforts for the general public to understand the ills and menace of smuggling to our dear Nation.



"Gentlemen of the press, you can observe a change in the pattern of today's briefing in terms of items to be displayed; most of the seized items were deposited at the various Customs formation across the Zone as enshrined in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of securing seized items. It is also served as one of the counter measures of securing seizures in case of attacks by smugglers as they (smugglers) are now engaging bandits to attack our operatives while conveying seizures to a long distance.



"I want to use this opportunity, to commend the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and his management team for their usual support to the Unit as well as appreciate our sister agencies, namely the Nigeria Police, DSS, Military, NDLEA, NAFDAC among others for their collaborations.



"I am also expressing appreciation on behalf of the Unit to the Media, for its support and objectivity in disseminating our efforts in the fight against smuggling, as I urge all well-meaning Nigerians to continue to provide relevant information to the Unit, that would aid in combating smuggling for the benefit of the Nigerian economy," he said.