Customs CG in Lagos, hails officers of FOU Ikeja for anti-smuggling feats
The Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) flew in from Abuja to Lagos on Tuesday to address officers and men of the federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ Ikeja over their recent value addition to the Service in areas of strengthening anti-smuggling war on the borders.
In his words during his address after touring warehouse where seizures were displayed, elated Ali said “It gives me great pleasure to brief you on some of the recent gains of Nigeria Customs Service anti-smuggling operations”.
“Between Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd of August, 2017, the CGC Compliance Team and the Roving Team of the Federal Operations Unit Zone‘A’, armed with credible information, trailed and evacuated 37 assorted vehicles smuggled into the country through unapproved routes.
Key seizures include eight Lexus Jeep LX 570 (2017), 12 Land Cruiser Jeep (2017), and 17 Toyota Hilux (2016, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively), all brand new.
He said “These 37 assorted Vehicles have a duty paid value of One Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy Four Million, One Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Nine Naira (N 1,374,122,679.00)”
Continuing, the CG revealed that a total number of 12,081 bags of smuggled parboiled rice with a duty paid value of One Hundred and Forty Nine Million, Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Eight Naira (149,007,658.) were seized.
According to him, “Apart from the seizure of vehicles and rice, the reinvigorated anti-smuggling operations yielded another 156 assorted seizures including Bales of used clothing, Indian hemp and used Tyres”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government policies banning the importation of Rice and Vehicles through the land borders are still in force. Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in its determination to enforce these policies. NCS will continue to work towards crippling smugglers and getting them out of the illegitimate business.
Ali decried further that “In the face of security and economic challenges, no responsible Government will fold its hand while unpatriotic elements continue to engage in illegal activities that will further compromise national economic and security well-being of her people”.
“NCS as one of the enforcement agencies of Government will continue to work towards ensuring compliance with all extant laws governing imports and exports in Nigeria. For those who use violence as instrument of intimidation, let it be known that going forward, NCS operatives will not hesitate to use appropriate force to deal with any threat that is intended to obstruct performance of statutory function”.
He commended the Controller FOU, zone A, and Comptroller in charge of the compliance team for effective collaboration and co-ordination of their officers to achieve this feat.
The Customs boss also called on the Nigerian media to assist the Service in the war against smuggling by using their vantage position to inform and educate the public on the effects of smuggling to humanity and the economy.
SUMMARY OF SEIZURES
FROM THURSDAY 13TH JULY 2017 TO MONDAY7TH AUGUST 2017
| S/N | DETAILS OF GOODS | QUANTITY | NO. OF SEIZURES | VALUE | DUTY | DPV |
| 1. | Bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each | 12,081 bags | 105 | N 86,590,567.5 | N 62,417,090.55 | N 149,007,658.05 |
| 2. | Bales of second hand clothing | 75bales | 10 | N 1,125,000 | N 225,000 | N 1,350,000 |
| 3. | Frozen products | 135 cartons | 3 | N 810,000 | N 162,000 | N 972,000 |
| 4. | 40Vehicles of different models | 40 Units | 40 | N 1,004,233,147 | N 369,889,532 | N 1,374,122,679 |
| 5. | Indian Hemp
Indian Hemp |
130 parcels 116kg each
45 sacks 450kg at 10kg each |
2
|
N 5,200,000
N 16,000,000 |
N 1,040,000
N 3,200,000 |
N 6,240,000
N 19,200,000 |
| 6.
|
1 One (1) container with No. TCLU536694/2 1x40ft carrying one thousand one hundred and forty five (1145) pieces of used tyres
(ii.)3 units of vehicles |
Three (3) used cars and (1563) pieces of used tyres
|
1
|
N 7,867,000
|
N 2,668,400
|
N 10, 536,400
|
|
7. |
2. one (1) container with No. MSKU146823391X40FT carrying one thousand five hundred and sixty three (1563) pieces of used tyres (ii) Two hundred and twenty five (225) pieces of used tubes and some others items |
1174 pieces of used tyres and some other item |
1.
|
N 9,763,000 |
N 2,974,400 |
N 12,737,400 |
| 8. | One (1) container No. MSKU9111931 carrying one hundred and ten (110) pieces of iron folding chairs without the seating foams | 110 pieces | 1 | N 770,000 | N 154,000 | N 924,000 |
| 9. | One (1) 1X40FT container NO. BSIU967857-3 carrying seven hundred and sixty eight (768) packages of wooding cabinets in different sizes | 768 packages | 1 | N 7,000,000 | N 1,400,000 | 9,022,000 |
| 10. | One (1) 1x40ft container No. MRKU501730-8 carrying three thousand three hundred and nine (3,309) cartons of Nabati cheese/chocolate water biscuits | 3,309 cartons | 1 | N 9,927,000 | N 3,474,450 | N 13,401,450 |
| 11. | One (1) 1x40ft container No. CXDU2051610 carrying 320 packages of iron cabinets selves of different sizes
140 packages of theater seats 12 packages of P.O.P mould plastics 4 packages of wooden chairs legs |
447 packages | 1 | N 12,000,000 | N 2,400,000 | N 22,017,000 |
| 12. | Total | 156 | 1,161,285,714.5 | N 450,004,872.55 | N 1,611,290,587.05 |
Suspects: 17
| Status | Released on bail | Still in detention |
| General goods | 7 | 4 |
| Vehicles | 4 | 2 |
| Total | 11 | 6 |
Note:
DPV N1,611,290,587.05
TOTAL SEIZURES 156
VEHICLES 40
MEANS OF CONVEYANCE 11
