The Federal Operation Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Lagos, said it has commenced proactive measures to nip the smugglers’ activities in the bud as ‘Émber’ months approach.
This statement was uttered by the Controller of the unit, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, while addressing the media on Friday, August 30th, 2024. He said that based on their intelligence and the past behavioural patterns of smugglers, this has indicated that there is boundless possibility of desperation to smuggle as the last quarter of 2024, which is popularly known as Ember months approach; hence, the unit is taking more proactive measures by confronting the smugglers with increased vigour in line with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, dsm, fnipr, psc.
As part of the proactive measures, his officers rejected financial inducements from the illicit traders to make their seizures, stressing that his unit relied on intelligence and collaboration with sister agencies to achieve this spectacular success.
He said the operations of the unit are done with a human face without spilling human blood.
He however warned that the smugglers would have his crack team to contend with as long as they don’t quit their illicit business.
In his words, he said “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.
‘For emphasis, these acts of smuggling undermine our national security, economic development and social well-being of all citizens.
We are not unaware of smugglers’ antics to evade duty payments and sometimes attempt to circumvent the law by bringing items that fall under import and export prohibition.”
However, Comptroller Kola Oladeji further gave the report on the recent performance of the Lagos FOU in July 2024, acknowledging the fact that it was better and a notch higher than the corresponding month of 2023.
According to him, the total seizures of 70 contraband goods recorded in July 2024 was higher by 20 compared to the 50 seizures made in July 2023.
“In July 2024, our reinvigorated anti-smuggling drive had resulted in the arrest of 14 male suspects.
“Within the period under review, we made 70 seizures worth a Total Duty Paid Value of Eight
Billion, Ninety-Eight Million, One Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Nine naira (N8,098,001,199).
Giving the breakdown of the seizures, he compared the month of July, 2023 with July, 2024, the revenue generated increased by Ninety-Six million, Eighty-Seven thousand, One hundred and Thirty-Three naira, Seventy-Seven Kobo (N 96,087,133.79K) at 245% increase. Our interceptions rose from 50 seizures in July, 2023 to 70 seizures in July, 2024 with a DPV difference of Seven billion, Six hundred and Thirty-Five million, Two hundred and Ninety-Two thousand, Three hundred and Twenty-Four Naira only (N 7,635,292,324) at 1,750% increase.
A breakdown of the seizures is as follows;
- 6,168 pieces of donkey skin (with total dry weight at 29,606 kg) II. 37,630 sachets of Tramadol of 250mg
III. 11,820 pieces of new machetes
- 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice
- 978 kg of Cannabis sativa
- 1,145 cartons of poultry products
VII. 15 units of imported vehicles
VIII. 257 bales of used clothes
- 11,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit
On revenue recovery, for the Month of July 2024, the sum of One hundred and Thirty-Three million, Six hundred and Ninety-Six thousand, Two hundred and Twenty-Three naira Ninety-Eight kobo (N133,696,223.98K) was generated through documentary checks and issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have been short-paid. The entire amount had been paid into the Federation account accordingly.
For further clarification, Comptroller Kola Oladeji said that as 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, he asserted that this category of smugglers have the customs 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.”
The unit has also uncovered a new method of distribution of prohibited drugs in which the Smugglers are now using smaller vehicle for the distribution. Based on the credible intelligence, the officers and men of the unit are able 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.”
Appreciating the Stakeholders and professional associations such as ANACA, NAGAFF, Electronic and Print Media for their cooperation and supports, Comptroller Kola Oladeji showed gratitude to 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.
Finally, he called 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
