…As FOU ‘B’ Seizes Contrabands Worth Over N769 Million
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, Comptroller Chedi Wada emphasized the role of effective intelligence network in uncovering smuggling operations within the region, cautioned die hard smugglers to desist from manipulation.
Comptroller Chedi laid the emphasis on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Kangiwa House, Kaduna State, while showcasing several seizures of illegal items made by operatives of the Unit, which corresponds to a Duty Paid Value of Seven Hundred and sixty nine million, four hundred and sixty five thousand, nine hundred and seven naira, forty six kobo (N769,465,907.46).
He explained that effective Intelligence Network is crucial to devising enforcement response to smuggling activities, though smugglers constantly change routes and methods in response to the Service enforcement measures, they will surely face the wrath of law for their illegal actions.
His words, “I say to those die-hard smugglers that sponsor mobs to attack our operatives and/or organise to stage illegal demonstrations against us, that they cannot and will not discourage and deter us from carrying out our job.
“It is one of two options, either these smugglers turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate trade or have us to contend with and face the wrath of the law and the full consequences. ” He warned.
Highlighting the seizures, the Comptroller disclosed that a total of 98 seizures of 21 different items was made and this include- 98 bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each), 367 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni, Couscous, 136 Bales of Foreign Secondhand clothing, 715 Jerry cans of Premium motor Spirit (25 Litres each), 65 Jerry cans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25 Litres each), 12 Unit of Used Vehicles, 4 Units Means of Conveyance, 9 Cartons of Chakapain Xtra (50mg), 425.5 Cartons of Foreign Milky Creamer & Milk Powder, 136 pieces of Foreign Used Tyres.”
“Other items include: 14 Bags of Foreign Tiger Nuts, 151 Cartons of unregistered Alcoholic Beverages, 1314 sachets and 68 Cartons of Foreign Butter, 40 Cartons of Expired Foreign General Goods, 120 Cartons of Foreign Eva soap, 170 bags of sodium sulphate (25Kg each).
“Also, 20 cartons of Foreign Dye Powder, 600 bags of Sokoto cement used in concealing prohibited items, 379 assorted general goods intercepted at Daura for being improperly exported and 400 cartons of unregistered Organic Fertilizer were part of the seized items,” he revealed.
He also disclosed that 372 bags of rice, disguised as flour sacks, were intercepted by operatives of the unit and deposited at the Kwara Area Command .
On Vehicle Identification Number, Comptroller Chedi warned against alteration of VIN by smugglers to evade detection, citing legal repercussions.
“Let me use this opportunity to draw the attention of the public concerning the act of altering VIN (Chassis Number) of vehicles by smugglers to evade arrest or to manipulate the payment of duty.
“I want the concerned citizens to always examine the VIN on the windscreen and that on the chassis (skeleton) of the vehicle they intend buying because it is an offence under Section 236 (b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the offender is liable to a fine of N2,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both,” he stated.
Comptroller Wada thus urged the public to take advantage of the 90-day window to regularize improperly imported vehicles, while also acknowledging government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens, particularly with the suspension of penalties on such imports.
