The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ located in Ikeja, Lagos, under the Nigeria Customs Service, disclosed the seizure of rice and various prohibited goods valued at over N10 billion in the year 2023.Controller Hussain Ejubunu, the Comptroller of the Zone, informed the press that the unit recorded a total of 1,119 seizures, with a cumulative duty value of N10.395 billion for the year 2023. Among the most significant seizures were 139 trailer loads (equivalent to 83,170 bags of 50kg each) of foreign parboiled rice.Ejubunu detailed that the seized items encompassed vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tyres, poultry products, footwear, petroleum products, and more.He emphasized the unit’s commitment to dissuade Nigerians from engaging in smuggling activities, either as sponsors, couriers, informants, or any other supportive role.FOU Zone A’s expansive area of responsibility includes overseeing an area with international borders, the busiest airport in Nigeria, and the two largest seaports in the country. The unit, supported by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, strived diligently to combat smuggling, resulting in significant seizures, arrests, and revenue collection for the government throughout the year.Ejubunu reiterated that the relentless and uncompromising enforcement efforts manifested in the 1,119 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N10,395,123,943 in 2023. The prominent seizure of foreign parboiled rice accounted for 139 trailer loads.Moreover, the breakdown of seizures included various items such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in 13,706 kegs (25 litres each), Indian Hemp weighing 8,372 kg, used clothes in 2,153 bales, frozen poultry in 3,095 cartons, illicit drugs in 320 cartons, bulletproof jackets (15 pieces), jack knives (15 pieces), and military camouflage (68 pieces). Additionally, the unit intercepted 450 drums with 106 kg of carbide, discovered containers loaded with charcoal, and confiscated 132 units of foreign-used vehicles.A total of 136 individuals suspected of smuggling were apprehended within the unit’s jurisdiction. After thorough profiling and investigation, they were charged to court, with 16 individuals already convicted for various offences related to improper importation and possession of contraband.Furthermore, the unit recovered N851,719,905.01 in revenue through meticulous document scrutiny, identifying duty payment shortfalls and issuing demand notices to recover accurate revenues that could have been lost to non-compliant businessmen.Ejubunu warned that the crackdown on smuggling activities would intensify in 2024, stating that perpetrators could face harsher consequences, including loss of investments and freedom upon arrest. He emphasized that attackers of customs personnel would face lawful arrest and prosecution without exception.
- Latest
- Trending
