Recovers over N66m

The Acting Controller displays some of the seized items to newsmen

Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Hussein Ejibunu has disclosed that efforts by officers of the Unit in curtailing criminal tendencies within Zone A are yielding positive results.

Briefing newsmen on recent developments within the Command said  “In recognition of the responsibility bestowed on the Federal Operations Unit to suppress smuggling, block revenue leakages, facilitate legitimate trade, collect revenue and contribute to national security, we have made progress in the discharge of our mandate”

“Within the month of July 2023 the gallantry and dedication of our officers led to the interception of smuggled 15 bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives and 20 pieces of pistol pouches inside a Toyota Sienna Bus in Ogun State at Ijebu-Ode Checkpoint”

“The driver of the vehicle was arrested in conjunction with the seized controlled wares”, Ag. Controller Ejibunu said.

To guide and enlighten the public, the FOU reiterated that “The importation of all forms of bulletproof materials such as vests, ballistic materials and vehicles, as well as parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, arms and ammunition of all kinds; lethal and non-lethal requires an end-user certificate”

“An end-user certificate is applied for and issued by the office of the national security adviser which loses its validity after one year from the issuance date”.

The FOU A Controller stressed that anyone importing a controlled item must do so within the validity period of the end-user certificate or face prosecution.

On seizures recorded within the period under review, the Controller said they are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods into the country.

“This success story will not be complete without my expression of gratitude to the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR whose maiden working visit to the Unit was a morale booster”

“I also use this medium to thank him and members of the management team for stoking our logistics for more gainful performance”

Seizures

Giving a breakdown of seizure made within the peroid, the Controller said 50 seizures were made within the period under review for non-compliance with the extant Customs laws.

He listed the seizures to consist of:

I. 5,642 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 9 trailer loads)
II. 18,925 litres (757 X 25 litres jerry cans of premium motor spirit)
III. 20 pieces of pistol pouches
IV. 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets
V. 15 pieces of jack knives
VI. 49 cartons of children school shoes
VII. 181(87 kg) parcels of Indian Hemp
VIII. 357 kegs X 5 litres of vegetable oil
IX. 1 unit of Honda Motorcycle
X. 2 used (Tokumbo) vehicles

“The total duty paid value (DPV) of the seized goods stood at Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N462,708,875)”.

“The sum of Sixty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Fourty-Six Naira, Fourty-One Kobo (N66,493,346.41) was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid”,

Arrests

The FOU boss disclosed the 13 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures made and are at different stages of investigations and prosecution.

“I will also hand over three (3) suspects and cannabis sativa with a net weight of 7,728 kilogrammes to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command; for further investigation and prosecution” the Ag Controller said.

Displaying some of the seized items, the FOU acting clarified  that the essence “Is aimed at discouraging the business of smuggling because it is capable of destroying our national economy, and could adversely affect our living standards”.

“The criminal business of smuggling mainly favours only a selfish few who do not mean well for our country” the acting Controller emphasized.