… Arrests four suspects
The Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, headquartered in Lagos, has said that it has successfully recovered a total of twenty million, seven hundred and ninety-two thousand, three hundred and seventy- two naira, ninety-nine kobo (N20, 792, 372.99).
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu who disclosed this in a press briefing in Lagos yesterday informed that the amount was recovered through the issuance of demand notices, DN from irregular importation and auction sales of seized petroleum products.
According to the Controller, the unit generates revenue primarily through the interventions executed by its personnel, issuing demand notices (DN) where shortfalls are identified, and conducting auction sales of seized perishable goods.
On anti-smuggling, the CAC revealed that since assumption of office, he had transformed the unit’s operational strategies, moving away from traditional stop-and-search methods to more intelligence-driven operations that reduce unnecessary delays.
He also stated that in the ongoing battle against illicit trade, the operatives of the unit, acting on credible intelligence, successfully intercepted and seized 7X20ft containers filled with various illicit items within the Lagos metropolis.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed the following contents: MSKU 8551954 containing used tyres and vehicle; SYDU 1479614 containing foreign parboiled rice and MSKU 7751689 containing foreign parboiled rice.
Others include MSKU 798700 containing foreign parboiled rice; ZCSU 8845072 containing new shoes; ZCSU 7055181 containing new Clothes and PIDU 4258491 containing new bags.
Continuing, he said, “In the same vein, our renewed efforts have significantly bolstered our strategies to secure Nigeria’s southwestern states borders against economic saboteurs. Within this short period of three(3) weeks, this unit has inflicted substantial losses on these non-state actors through the interception of numerous illegal goods.
“Notable seizures include: 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg—equivalent to seven (7) trailer loads, 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles, 82 packs of Tramadol, with 10 sachets per pack, 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa. 290 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS), 12 Bales and 4 sacks of used clothing.”
Shuaibu, however, disclosed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which according to him, have a Duty Paid Value, DPV of one billion, five hundred and one million, three hundred and twelve thousand, four hundred and twenty-five naira (N1, 501,312,425.00).
Insisting that the Nigeria Customs Service remained resolute in its efforts to combat smuggling, counterfeit products, and other forms of illicit trade, the Controller adds, “These achievements testify to our unwavering dedication to protecting our economy and citizens” while assuring that “We will continue to collaborate with sister security agencies and border communities to dismantle the networks engaged in illicit activities.”
Continuing, he maintained that in line with the dictate of the NCS to foster inter-agency collaboration, the Unit would be handing over the seized 246kg of cannabis sativa to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency, NDLEA while the tramadol capsules would be handed over to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC for further investigation and prosecution.
“We encourage the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or illicit trade. I also urged our declarants to remain honest in their declarations to avoid unnecessary bottleneck”, he added.
On trade facilitation, the CAC observed that in an era characterized by increasing global integration, efficient trade facilitation was vital for unlocking economic potential, creating jobs, and fostering regional integration noting that he took this responsibility seriously.
“Our intelligence driven operations are designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit our stakeholders and the public through barrier-free operations, as we intend to collapse all patrol points within Lagos metropolis”, he informed.
Photo 1: Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone A addressing Journalists during the press briefing in Lagos Friday.
Photos 2 & 3: Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone A showcasing some of the seized items to Journalists during the press briefing in Lagos Friday.
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