Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A have seized 104 new motorcycles in Odeda community of Ogun State from smugglers who brought them into Nigeria in a truck to evade duty payment
Controller of the unit, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu who disclosed this to journalists in Lagos, said two suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Showing the motorcycles to reporters, Comptroller Ejibunu said they were brought into the country in Complete Knocked Down (CKD) form to be assembled for use by unknown persons.
He added that motorcycles have been identified as a means of transportation by criminals, thereby raising suspicion on the motive of those who imported the motorcycles with intent to evade duty payment.
For the month of January, he said the command made a total of 60 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N854,156,712. He added that N83,141,803.60 was collected as revenue into government coffers in January through meticulous checks on documents and uncovering duties
Giving a breakdown of the seizures in addition to the 104 motorcycles, Comptroller Ejibunu listed 3,653 units of50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice ,equivalent to 6.5 trailer loads;
23,025 litres of PMS; 241 bales of used clothes;1,490 kg of Indian Hemp;1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste;983 pieces of used tyres;556 cartons of slippers and 11 units of used vehicles seized from smugglers.
Ejibunu said “While showing reporters some new and used vehicles seized in January, Comptroller Ejibunu said it’s an act of economic sabotage and lack of patriotism for people to bring in high profile new vehicles into Nigeria and not wanting to pay duty to government.
“Smuggling is a crime that has to do with; the act of false declaration and concealment of goods, the use of unapproved routes and ports for the exportation or importation of goods, forging of Customs documents, willful under-payment of Customs duties, and trafficking in prohibited or restricted goods among others.
“The impact of smuggling has very serious repercussions on the economy, the environment, health and security. Thus, to restrain this trend of illegal commercial activities, there is the need for collaboration and strong partnership with other critical stakeholders through sharing of information and intelligence.
“In a continuous and renewed vigour to fight smuggling, we activated an enhanced intelligence gathering and information sharing mechanism, and were able to identify some new smuggling hot spots and schemes employed by smugglers. This strategy yielded 60 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N854,156,712. The following major seizures were recorded within January 2024.
“The status of these goods was found to have contravened different sections of the Customs Act (2023), while some were expired at the time of importation; others flaunted the import statutory guidelines. A total of ten suspects were arrested in connection with some of the goods.
“On revenue recovery, the sum of N83,141,803.60 was generated through documentary checks and issuance of demand notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid.
“The general public is encouraged to be aware of the consequences of smuggling and its harmful effects; because it is this awareness that would help to reduce the demand for smuggled goods and discourage individuals from participating in smuggling activities” he said.
