Customs apprehends 14 suspects, seizes N130m goods in Sept
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Lagos has declared that goods worth over 130 million were seized in September 2016 as well as 14 suspects apprehended in connection with the seizures.
In a press statement issued by the Controller of the zone, Mr. Umar Mohammed Dahiru, the commitment of officers and men of the Unit in completely eradicate smuggling in the zone paid off in the market not under review as the duty paid value (DPV) OF the seizures is put at one hundred and one million, five hundred and fourth six thousand, six hundred and fifty naira only.
The Comptroller said that the Unit recovered more than N30m from smugglers of vehicles and other goods that tried to beat the system from the seaports and border stations in the guise of false declaration, undervaluation and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria.
This according to him makes a cumulative of N130m in the month of September 2016.
Giving a breakdown of the seizures, Umar said that “98 different seizures were recorded comprising vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, fairly used vehicles popularly known as tokunbo, and various general merchandise which includes new and used textiles material, shoes, bags, used tyres , Mosquito insecticide, soaps, compressors, Bonita Spaghetti amongst others.”
On the arrested suspects, Comptroller Umar stated that investigations were still ongoing and that when it is concluded, the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
While commending the display of the sheer courage, patriotism and intelligence by the Operatives the Controller, said that the Unit has what it takes in delivering one of the Service statutory functions of suppression of smuggling within his areas of jurisdiction in the South West zones.
In order to keep this feat, the Controller further tasked all field operatives of Federal Operations Unit to intensify their border patrols in order to bring smugglers to book.
On the strategy put in place to forestall smugglers in the ’ember’ months, the Controller said. “this is a warning to all dare devil smugglers who see ‘ember’ months as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business as the Unit has deployed other tactical strategies that will make them run for their monies and count their loses.”
