Customs Intercepts N1.72bn Worth of Contraband in One Month
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has announced the interception of contraband worth N1.72 billion in the last month.
The seized goods include 3,832 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, equivalent to seven trucks, 27 used vehicles (commonly known as ‘tokunbo’), 494 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which is 14,820 litres, and 27 bales of used clothing. Other intercepted items include 95 bags of charcoal and 3,643kg of Cannabis Sativa.
Additionally, the Customs authorities confirmed the arrest of six suspects in connection with these seizures.
At a media briefing in Lagos, the Customs Area Controller of the unit, Compt. Kola Oladeji, shared that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seizures amounted to N1.72 billion.
Compt. Oladeji emphasized that the Customs unit remains committed to enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, specifically those related to the import and export of goods, to prevent revenue losses and curb smuggling.
“The operatives of FOU ‘A’ have intensified surveillance of our borders within the South Western States,” Oladeji said. “This onslaught targets economic saboteurs engaged in illegal trade. Key performance indicators, including revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade, continue to reflect significant success through ongoing operations like ‘Swift Sting Operations’ and efforts of patrol teams.”
He also praised the diligent work of the officers, acknowledging that the successes recorded this year came through careful, round-the-clock surveillance and border patrols.
Oladeji reiterated that the unit would continue to tackle illegal trans-border trade and other related crimes, focusing on educating and engaging the public on the social and economic implications of smuggling.
Furthermore, the unit generated N72.4 million from debit notes issued to importers who underpaid Customs duties at the seaports. Compt. Oladeji also commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for rolling out various trade facilitation tools to help boost Nigeria’s revenue and economic growth.
