The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of Comptroller Kola Oladeji, said it has intercepted contraband worth N3.63 billion and four suspects were apprehended in connection with the various seizes in the month of June.
Controller Kola Oladeji, while addressing journalists at Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja on Thursday stated that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV), of the intercepted goods amounts to N3.63billion
Four suspects were apprehended in connection with various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives. The cumulative DPV of the intercepted goods amounts to N3.63billion.
“Furthermore, the unit recorded the sum of N62.0million as revenue in the month of June 20024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duties, thereby surpasses its revenue target for the month of June, 2024.
Comptroller Kola Oladeji, said, ” I have placed my officers and men in a strategic locations for 24 hours surveillance, roving around the hinterland and if you escape the eagle eye of the officers at the seaport, in the border land my hi-tech credible intelligent surveillance officers will surely get hold of you.”
“Security is the bed-rock of Nigeria’s economy which underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving self-sustaining growth that would enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
In furtherance of the Federal Government’s resolve to achieve this commitment, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations that resulted in the interception and seizures of 1,500 pieces of bullet proof jackets, 989 kg of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs. These decisive and uncompromising actions took place at various times and locations within the South-Western States.”
“You may recall that some security and medical experts reported that people who take illicit drugs can lead to mental health cases, and are most often motivated for the wrong reasons; where extreme motivations could lead to loss of conscience that aids the commission of crimes. The intake of expired drugs can have serious health consequences on the kidneys and the liver, inclusive of the development of allergies and lowering of immunity.”
“Worthy of note is the fact that under Schedule four (4) of the Customs Common External Tariff (CET), the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under “absolute prohibition”. An End-User Certificate (E U C) is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria. An E U C is an undertaking by a purchaser/importer that any of the controlled items/products would be for lawful use within Nigeria; and must not be transferred or re-exported to any other entity or country prior written consent of the issuing authority, which is the Office of the National Security Adviser.”
Other items seized within the month of June include:
- 343,750 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS)
- 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50 kg each
- 32 units of used motor vehicles were intercepted
- 120 bags of sugar at 50 kg each
3,560 cartons of poultry products
“I implore all patriotic citizens to provide useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs and counterfeiting goods. Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods,” he concluded.
