Customs impounds 242 items worth over N2.8bn Duty Paid Value
…Issues warnings to smugglers
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that it has impounded 61 Used Vehicles, 18 means of conveyance and 40 other items worth over N2.8 billion Duty Paid Value (DPV) within the period of September and November, 2023.
The Comptroller, Federal Operation Unit, Zone B Kaduna, Mallam Dalha Wada Chedi, made the disclosure in Kaduna while briefing journalists on the achievements of the Command on Tuesday.
Wada who lamented over the high rate of smuggling activities in the zone also disclosed that smugglers now use bandits to smuggle in vehicles and other items into the country, create new roads within a short period of time.
Meanwhile, he said the Command has also devised new strategies to deal with the situation.
He said, “As you are all aware, our primary assignment is that of suppression of smuggling and the combat of all anti-economic activities in all its ramifications, which we do through vigorous customs-host community relationship and partnership with all relevant agencies of government.
“While l wish to immediately draw your attention to the fact that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, l wish to remind all and sundry that our Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled with the duty of implementing the Federal Government directives.
“We are not unaware that within the ember months and especially this yuletide period, many would want to engage in illegal activities; smugglers and all other unscrupulous traders are warned to steer clear of Zone B. Our men are fully on ground and combat ready to act in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
“I call on all stakeholders, especially traders and business people, including all Nigerians to eschew all activities that are in violation of the customs extant laws, so that we can continue to respect ourselves and support the development and growth of our national objectives; as we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all acts of smuggling and anti-economic activities are fully challenged and the full force of the law brought to bear.
“I am also happy to present the statistics of the detentions and seizures made within the period under review with the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two Billion, Eighty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Naira and Sixty-Eight Kobo (N2,888,460,294.68) only.”
Breakdown of the seizures according to him include, “2,991 Bags of 50kg Foreign Parboiled Rice, 25 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice of 25kg, 292 Foreign Refined Vegetable Oils, 2,131 Cartons of Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous, 98 Pieces of Foreign Jack Knives, among others.
“640 Bales of Foreign Secondhand Clothing, 147 Sacks of Foreign Secondhand shoes, 360 Cartons of Frozen Poultry Products, 120 Cartons of Foreign Pomades, 34 Cartons of Foreign Condensed Milk, 1,972 Jerry cans of PMS (25 litres each), 20 Bundles of Foreign Used Tyres, 16 Cartons of Foreign Hookah (Tobacco).
“337 Cartons of Foreign Cigarettes, 78 Cartons of Foreign Medicaments, 870 pieces Foreign Machetes, 212 Cartons of Foreign Milky Creamer, 76 Bags of Ammonium Sulphate, (25Kg each), 76 Cartons of expired seasoning, 10 Bags of Foreign Flour.”
