The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Lagos said it recovered the sum of One Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-two Million, Ninety-four thousand, thirty-seven Naira, Ninety-four Kobo (N1,752,094,037.94) as revenue by identifying shortfalls on duty payments in 2020.
It said the lost revenue was recovered through the issuance of demand notices; sequel to interceptions and documentary checks on imported goods into the country.
The Unit’s Acting Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Yahaya added that other goods seized between January and December 2020 include 31,129 of 50kg bags of foreign rice, 11,290 cartons of foreign poultry products, 3,562kg of Indian Hemp, 9,801 kegs of 25 liters each of vegetable oil, 560 units of used vehicles, 24,612 pieces of used tyres.
The total duty paid value of the confiscated materials was put at Twenty Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-seven Million, Five Hundred and Fifty-three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Eighty Naira, Eight Kobo (N20,897,553,880.08).
He explained that the Unit complemented the Area Commands through interventions as part of its mandate to patrol, intercept suspected smuggled items and access warehouses suspected to be used by smugglers and duty evaders.
He affirmed that “As an anti-smuggling unit, we remain resolute to the course of protecting our national security and economy. In remaining uncompromising in the fight against smuggling, duty evasion and other offences that contravene different sections of the extant laws”.
The Ag. Controller stated that no consignment or goods on transit would be unjustifiably delayed for as long as there is compliance with the extant guidelines on the procedure for import and export clearance.
“We are totally committed to the course of facilitating legitimate trade. This feat is as a result of credible information and intelligence gathering. Thus, we are soliciting for timely and credible information from patriotic citizens that would assist us carry out duties with diligence.”
“While we remain grateful to our esteemed critical stakeholders and patriotic citizens for their unflinching support, we also appeal to traditional rulers, teachers, religious leaders and parents to urge the youths not to allow themselves to be used by economic saboteurs.”
“We shall remain determined at enforcing the federal government fiscal policies, extant regulations and guidelines on import/export; without fear or favor.”
