Customs anti-smuggling unit impounds N668.3m goods

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of Nigeria Customs Service, Zone `A’ Ikeja, Lagos, has intercepted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N668.3 million between January and April 2016.

The Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Umar Dahiru, said this in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the unit, Uche Ejesieme, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Dahiru said that the unit impounded goods valued at N428.66 million in the same period of 2015.

He said that 42 suspects were apprehended in connection with the seizures.

The controller said that the breakdown of the seizures included: rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, 32 units of vehicles, 12 buses, general merchandise comprising new and used textile materials.

Dahiru said other seizures were: new and used foot wears, insecticides, spaghetti noodles, various soaps and detergents, used tyres, narcotics, compressors, hard drugs and Indian hemp.

The controller said that the items were seized in line with Sections 46 and 47 of the Customs & Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004; on “Forfeiture of goods improperly imported and Penalty for improper importation of goods”.

Dahiru said that, “Despite the harsh economic realities, the unit was able to actualise the set objectives of the service, particularly in enforcing the fiscal policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

“It is instructive to note that the successes recorded came as a result of the painstaking effort of the operatives.

“The unit has remained undeterred and unshaken in the face of aggressiveness on the part of the smugglers and their collaborators,” the controller said.

“Smuggling is a global menace and countries all over the world are constantly strategising on how to suppress it in their domain, using various methods.”

“In view of this, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, have keyed into the various strategies, including the use of ICT in gathering intelligence,” Dahiru said.