Nigeria Customs Service intercept N126 million worth foreign rice, spaghetti, PMS, donkey skins
By Mohammed kaka Misau, Bauchi
Contraband goods worth N126 million have been seized by the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), federal operations unit, Zone ‘D’.
The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Zone, Adesanmi Omiye who made this known at a press conference in Bauchi Thursday, said that the seizure of the contraband goods took place between January and June, 2022.
He said that the seizures were made possible due to the commitment and determination of operatives of the zone.
The Comptroller said some of the items seized during the period under review include 605 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, seven used vehicles which were used as means of conveyance of the contraband goods, 54 bales of secondhand clothes and 215 cartons of foreign soap.
Omiye added that the operatives of the Unit, apart from blocking and suppressing smuggling within the Zone have seized 605 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 7 used vehicles (means of conveyance), 54 bales of second hand clothes, 215 cartons of foreign soap and 42-cartons of foreign Spaghetti.
Others according to the Comptroller include 102 pieces of dried Donkey skin, 69 sacks of foreign used shoes,150 Jerry cans of petroleum product – 20 litres each (engine oil), 20 Jerry cans of PMS (25 liters each) and 50 cartons of Ringer Lactates (Drugs).
“The Cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all the seizures amounts to One Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Thousand, One Hundred Thirty One Naira, Twenty Five Kabo (N126,560,131.25K)”, Omiye explained.
He said that the action of the Nigeria Customs operatives are in line with the provision of section 8 and 158 (power to patrol freely) and of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 Laws of the Federation Republic of Nigeria 2004 as amended.
The Zonal Comptroller said that the three suspects arrested within the period in connection with the seizures were released on bail.
According to him, the seizure was recorded as a result of sharing of information, intelligence gathering and doggedness of the officers/Men of the federal Operations Unit, Zone D.
Omeye who said his men has made the zone unbearable for smugglers, pleaded with well-meaning Nigerians to assist in providing genuine information that could aid in eradicating the menace of smuggling in the zone and the country at large.
The Comptroller while warning against smuggling, informed that by eradicating the bad practice, it will boost the economy of the country which will enable the government provide social amenities to the citizenry.