…Generates 67% of it’s 2024 Total Revenue Target
ZAINAB JUNAID
The Federal Operations Unit(FOU), Zone A’ of Nigeria Customs Service has reported the arrest of 29 Suspects, seizures of 206 illicit items corresponding to a Duty Paid Value of two billion, eight hundred and seventy seven million, forty nine thousand, seven hundred and seventy seven naira only(NGN2,877,049,777) in the first quarter of 2024.
This was contained in a statement made available to our reporter on Friday by the Public Relations Department of the Unit for the Area Controller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu.
In the statement, Comptroller Ejibunu attributed the seizures recorded in the first quarter of 2024 to violations of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines by culprits.
He highlighted some of the seizures recorded within the first three months of the year 2024 to include 12,278 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 21 trailer loads); 40 units of used vehicles; 286 cartons of rubber slippers; 1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste; 2,705 kegs of premium motor spirit; 3,510 pieces of pneumatic used tyres; 330 bales of used clothes; 2,230 kg of Indian Hemp; 1,569 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 365 cartons of unmarked drugs; 104 units of Haojuo Motorcycle; 566 cartons of slippers.
Comptroller Ejibunu also narrated the ordeal that left his personnel in severe injury during their course of anti smuggling activities.
“Just recently, officers of this Unit were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were being shot by some armed men suspected to be smugglers along Igbori Village, in Oyo State. Although some of the officers in the patrol team sustained injuries, but the assailants were repelled with superior fire power,” he revealed.
On Revenue recovery made within the period under review, Comptroller Ejibunu disclosed that 67% of the total revenue target of NGN 455,202,073.97 for the year 2024 has been raised, that is NGN305,310,010.44.
Going further, Comptroller Ejibunu gave insight on implications of smuggling, why citizens should desist from the dastardly act and how detriment it is to the society and country at large.
“Smuggling is the illegal movement of goods either within the country or across international borders in violation of applicable laws as prescribed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023) and other extant regulations.
“Citizens should avoid smuggling because it is a criminal offence against the state; participating in it has legal consequences such as hefty fines, imprisonment, or other legal sanctions. For example, Section 228 (false statements/declaration), section 231(counterfeiting any seal, signature, initials or any mark used by any officer), section 229 (an intentional entry of goods for less duty payment) etc. Therefore, citizens must avoid smuggling because it does not only pose legal and safety risks, but also undermines the well-being of society as a whole.
“Smuggling impacts society negatively by short-changing the economy through tax evasion, affects public health and safety, distorts the balance of fair business competitiveness, and also serves as an instrument for the achievement of other criminal activities.
“Smuggling can lead to compromised personal safety because it exposes individuals to various risks that include; dealing with dangerous individuals, illegal substances, and working in unsafe conditions.
BENEFITS OF COMPLIANCE
“By complying with all relevant regulations and laws, importers and traders can steer clear of costly fines and penalties that may arise as a consequence of non-compliance. It enhances a good reputation, demonstrates reliability, and trustworthiness, ensures smooth Customs and other statutory regulatory clearance procedures. This in turn reduces delays and potential disruptions in the supply chain.
“Interestingly, compliant importers are eligible to access the Service’s preferential treatment through preferential trade programs such as the fast track, the advance ruling, and the Authorize Economic Operators (AEO) programme. It is a programme that allows all compliant economic operators involved in the international movement of goods to apply for AEO status. While the focus is maintained on high-risk operators and the facilitation of legitimate trade,” he explained.
He further enjoined Armed none state actors to beware of the legal consequences of their actions when caught. “We shall never be distracted or deterred by their antics; the rules of engagement would be fully invoked in compliance with the Service’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to counter any attack on officers,” he maintained.
