The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja Lagos has intercepted various contraband goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 186,911,500.00.
Similarly, the Unit through its interventions recovered N63,555,123.25 from vehicles and other goods due to under-payment, undervalue and false declaration as the case maybe making a cumulative of N250,466,623.25 between July –August 2016.
The Unit’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Jerry Attah stated that between July and August 2016, about 225 different seizures were recorded comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, fairly used vehicles popularly known as tokunbo, and various general merchandise.
Attah gave the breakdown of the seizures to include; foreign parboiled rice 4,474 (50kg) valued at N29,133,000.00, frozen poultry products 7,676 cartons valued at N41,450,400.00, assorted vehicles 11 units valued at N8,775,000.00 and general merchandise including vegetable oil, new and used textiles, shoes, bags, used tyres , used fridges , furniture sets among others valued at N107,553,100.00.
While quoting the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Dahiru Umar as commending the relentless efforts of the officers and men of the command, he further disclosed the the CAC regretted that even though the nation was experiencing economic downturn, smuggling persisted while pledging the commitment of his Unit to thwart any antics that might be deployed by smugglers.
The Comptroller called on all patriotic Nigerians to help the Nigeria Customs Service in the fight against smuggling by providing necessary intelligence report that would assist its operations for a better return on investment for legitimate traders.
According to the Controller, “We will continue to reflect and review our operational modalities towards sustaining the statutory mandate of anti-smuggling operations so as to keep the flag flying and warned the dare devil smugglers to repent from their nefarious acts or face the wrath of the law as the Unit has what it takes to always track them down”.
He added that 23 suspects were also apprehended adding after thorough investigation, they would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction for prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.
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