The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has effected 482 different seizures valued at N228.9 million in the last three months.
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items was put at N294.5million.
In a statement by the Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Turaki Usman, a copy of which was sent to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, 36 suspects were also apprehended in connection with the seizures.
The breakdown include 133 different seizures of 50kg parboiled rice with a DPV of N55.7m; 74 different seizures of smuggled frozen poultry products totaling 11,647 cartons of frozen poultry products with a DPV of N62.893m and 86 units of fairly used vehicles valued at N108.5million.
There were also 189 different seizures of general goods, including new and used textile materials, new and used foot wears, vegetable oil, mosquito insecticide, wine, various soap and Spagethei with a DPV of N67.214m.
The statement signed the public relations officer of the unit; Uche Ejesieme said that comparatively speaking, the report for the period represents over 45% increase in terms of quality and quantity of seizures when compared with the corresponding period of 2014.
“We are confident that our renewed zeal and optimism will be the catalyst for optimal performance. The war against smuggling, no doubt, is a herculean task, because of the natural tendency for a smuggler to fight back each time their goods are seized.
“However, we have remained undeterred as we believe that we have a responsibility to secure the nation against influx of prohibited goods/items and we will not abdicate this responsibility for whatever reason. We call on Nigerians to support the Nigeria Customs Service through genuine information that could assist us in tracking smugglers and their routes”, the statement added.
… collects N2.5 billion in first quarter at Seme
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command, on Monday said it generated N 2.5billion as revenue in the first quarter of 2015.
The command’s spokesperson, Ernest Olottah SAID in Badagry that the revenue was higher than the 2.1billion generated during the same period in the corresponding year.
He attributed the increase to the command’s enlightenment programmes in the surrounding communities.
“Within the first quarter of the year, the command collected the sum of N2, 583, 548, 432.53 as revenue which was an improvement over the sum of N2, 133, 776, 367. 31 collected in the same period in 2014.
“The increase was achieved through the motivational effort of the command’s Area Controller, cooperation from our stakeholders and result of the command’s enlightenment programmes in the surrounding communities.
“The revenue feat could have been higher but for the reduction in the volume of imports which some importers attributed to unfavourable exchange rate regime and apprehension towards the elections,” he said.
Olottah said the command made a total of 200 seizures with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N42.8 million in the first quarter.
He added that seized goods included bags of rice, vegetable oil, narcotics, second hand shoes, and bags, among others.
The spokesman revealed that in pursuant of Vehicle Import Transit Regime, 8,419 vehicles were cleared and the customs duty paid was N1.3billion.
“The public can be assured of a facilitated environment for legitimate trade at Seme,” he said.
Ollottah advised Nigerians to shun smuggling and other related vices.
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