The Federal Operations Unit Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested 14 suspects and made 70 seizures worth N8,098,001,199 Duty Paid Value (DPV) in the month of July, 2024.
The Controller of the Command, Comptroller Kola Oladeji who disclosed this to Journalists on 30th August, 2024 also mentioned that the Command recovered a revenue of N133,696,223.98 which was generated through documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.
He added that the entire amount which was realized in the same month had been paid into the Federation account accordingly.
According to him, “a breakdown of the seizures is as follows; 6,168 pieces of donkey skin (with total dry weight at 29,606 kg), 37,630 sachets of Tramadol of 250mg, 11,820 pieces of new machetes, 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 978 kg of Cannabis sativa, 1,145 cartons of poultry products, 15 units of imported vehicles, 257 bales of used clothes, 11,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit”.
While comparing the month of July, 2023 with July, 2024, he revealed that the revenue generated increased by N 96,087,133.79 at 245% increase as interceptions rose from 50 seizures in July, 2023 to 70 seizures in July, 2024 with a DPV difference of N 7,635,292,324 at 1,750% increase.
Comptroller Kola affirmed that the Command is not relenting in combatting those who smuggle petrol out of the country.He announced that 11,700 litres of Petrol was seized and has been disposed through auction with the gains remitted into the Federal Government account.
“While the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the availability of Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise known as Petrol to Nigerians, some Smugglers are bent on taking the products to other Countries for their selfish gains. For the avoidance of doubt, this category of smugglers have us to contend with”
“We have disposed off the Eleven Thousand Seven Hundred Litres (11,700 Litres) of PMS through Open Auctions due to the volatility of the product after approval from our Headquarters. The proceeds realised from the Auctions had been paid into the Federation Account accordingly”
In the same vein, he noted that 35,630 sachets of Tramadol and Cannabis Sativa were intercepted along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and they will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for proper actions.
“Our Unit has uncovered a new method of distribution of these prohibited drugs. The Smugglers are now using smaller vehicle for the distribution. Based on the credible intelligence, we are ble to intercept 35,630 sachets of Tramadol along Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Also, the Cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) was intercepted along the same Expressway”
“For the seizure of Tramadol and Cannabis sativa, we are going to hand them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action in line with extant regulations and in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration”
Comptroller Kola Oladeji explained that the Command is doubling it’s creative intelligence as we are approaching the end of the year when smuggling activities is always on the increase.
“As we approach the last quarter of 2024, which is popularly known as Ember months, our intelligence and the past behavioural patterns of smugglers indicate the possibility of more desperation to smuggle”
“Because of this, we are taking more proactive measures by confronting them with increased vigour in line with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc(+)”
“I can boldly say that the smugglers’ desperation is being confronted with our resistance, causing us to seize their wares and arrest the suspects. On this, we shall remain unrelenting and uncompromising”
The FOU A Controller thanked stakeholders for their cooperation.He also appreciated the CGC for his indomitable leadership.He urged citizens to shun smuggling , make honest declarations and pay duties correctly.
“We appreciate our Stakeholders and professional associations such as ANACA, NAGAFF, Electronic and Print Media for their cooperation and supports. Finally, we are grateful to the Customs Management under the able leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc(+) for the continued guidance and provision of necessary logistics in achieving the progress recorded”
“As we are approaching the close of 2024, I want to once again urge Nigerians to shun smuggling and avoid being lured into crimes because of their inordinate quest for wealth. We are calling on all stakeholders like Traditional Rulers, Faith-based organizations, Youth leaders and Organized business groups to sensitize their members against smuggling. We also implore Traders and Customs Clearing Agents to be making honest declarations and ensure that duty payment are made, so as to avoid consequences of alternative actions” he said.
