Reports: Customs Seizes Goods Worth One Billion Naira Within Two Months

The compliance team of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has made over 500 seizures of contraband goods worth over 1 Billion Naira across the country within the last two months.
 
The National Coordinator of the compliance team, Musa Jalo, disclosed this to journalists after conducting them round some of the seized goods at the Customs Zonal Command in Kaduna state.

He said that the seized items were smuggled into the country through illegal routes and borders, and were intercepted by his men based on intelligence reports and surveillance.

He disclosed that the team also seized smuggled unwholesome rice being rebagged in Lagos to make it look like locally produced product.

Also seized were jerry cans of vegetable oil, bales of second hand clothes, used tyres, cartons of frozen food products, cartons of mosquito coil and used vehicles.

Twenty-five suspects have been arrested in connection with the illegal importation.

Mr Jalo, while cautioning the public on the dangers of substandard smuggled rice to their health and economy of the country, stated that the latest operation is part of the ongoing effort by the service to block the porous borders and help raise the revenue profile of the commands.

He vowed that there would be more seizures to thwart the activities of some unpatriotic elements who want to cripple the economy of the nation through smuggling.

The compliance team is charged with the responsibilities of monitoring and complimenting the enforcement efforts of the commands within the northern axis made up of the 19 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

The team gave the assurance that it is not out to witch-hunt anybody, but only those who do not play by the rules have reasons to fear.

According to the Customs, the safest way for smugglers is for them to change and embrace legitimate business, as smuggling is no longer profitable.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer, Customs Headquarters in Abuja, Joseph Attah, also maintained that the ban on importation of rice through the land borders is still in full force.

He noted that anyone caught in the act would be made to face the law.

He also threw more light on the aggressive revenue drive of the Nigeria Customs Service which he said had improved significantly under the present administration.