The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with its headquarters at Ikeja, Lagos disclosed that following the intensification of its anti-smuggling operations, it has intercepted various contrabands and other goods on detention with a Duty Paid Vlue (DPV) of One Billion, Forty-five Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira (1,045,412,950) in the first quarter of 2017.
A statement issued in Lagos by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Jerry Attah and made available to Primetime Reporters further revealed that the unit through its interventions recovered One Billion, Five Million, Five Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira, Ninety Kobo (N1,005,517,187.90) from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airport and border stations in the guise of false declaration, transfer of value and shortchange in duty payment that were meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative of Two Billion, Fifty Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty Seven Naira, Ninety Kobo only (N2,050,930,137.90).
The statement also said that a total of 293 different seizures were recorded comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical/medicaments and various general merchandise.
It quoted the Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu as having commended his officers and men for the great feat recorded in the first quarter of 2017 despite the economic recession even as he wondered why some elements would invest their money in business of illegalities knowing fully well that the law could catch up with them at any given time.
“While appealing to all well-meaning Nigerians to join the Service in the fight against smuggling which has wrecked a lot of havoc to the nation’s economy, the Controller charged all officers and men of the Unit to be professional and diligent in performing their statutory responsibilities, most especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations by making sure all revenue linkages are blocked.
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