Stories by Ajibola Patrick Lagos
A truck belonging to Dangote Group was among vehicles intercepted with illegal goods as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday declared staggering seizures between June 13 and July 10, this year. Th e truck with registration number DAL 543 ZX was caught with 1,200 cartons of uncleared frozen poultry products valued at N5,400,000. Also the seizure had N1,080,000 and N6,0480,000 as Duty and Duty Paid Values respectively. Th e disclosure was made by the Controller Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos led by Controller, Mohammed Uba Garba. Garba stated that between the period under review, the Unit recovered N229,954,448 cumulative duty payment and demand notices on general goods from importers that attempted to shortchanged the federal government.
Th e controller who reiterated the commitment of NCS to continue frustrating smuggling in all nooks and crannies of the nation said no culprit would go unpunished. He said a total of 15 suspects were arrested with the seizures. “Within this period, 40 diff erent seizures were recorded comprising vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, smuggled vehicles, medicaments, used tyres and various general merchandise. “Th e fi ght against smuggling can be only be won if all hands are on deck.
Th e commitment, doggedness, resilience and diligence of men of FOU A for foiling the antics of the smugglers using diff erent methods for concealment cannot be over emphasised” he said. Th e customs boss pleaded for cooperation of Nigerians with the offi cers of NCS said it would be disastrous if the intercepted 1,442 unapproved cartoons of drugs (Tramadol 225/120mg) in container number MSKU 98895 IX 40 feet and MAN Diesel truck with registration number RRU 513 XA along Apapa-Oshodi and Ijebu-Ode Express Way had not been seized. Receiving, the seized drugs on behalf of National Agency for Food Drugs and Administration (NAFDAC), its Director of Investigation, Mr Kingsley Ejiofor praised the FOU Command for the seizures. According to him, the NCS was living up to its billings. He promised that NAFDAC would carry out extensive research on the drugs, he declared unfi t for consumption because relevant approvals were not sought by the importers
