Customs impounds N2.8bn contraband from South-West in Q1 2024

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Friday, announced that it seized contraband worth N2.87billion between January to March, 2024.

The contraband seized within the first quarter of 2024 are, 21 trucks load of foreign parboiled rice; 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 and 2,230 kg of Indian Hemp.

Others are, 1,569 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products; 365 cartons of unmarked drugs; 104 units of Haojuo Motorcycles, and 566 cartons of smuggled slippers.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Friday, the Customs Area Controller, Compt Hussein Ejibunu, said the seizures were due to violations of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines.

He further stated that the command made a revenue recovery of N305.3million representing 67% collection of their target.

“Seizures recorded in the 1st quarter of 2024 were due to violations of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines. while vigorously and relentlessly executing our anti-smuggling campaign, a total of 206 seizures were made worth the sum of duty paid value of N2,877,049,777 while 29 suspects were arrested.

“Revenue recovery made within the period under review was N305,310,010.44 this represents 67% collection of the N455,202,073.97 revenue target for the year 2024,” Controller Ejibunu stated.

The Customs Controller who also bemoaned attack on officers of the unit by smugglers in Oyo State, warned hoodlums to be weary of the legal consequences of their actions when caught.

“Just recently, officers of this Unit were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were being shot at by some armed men suspected to be smugglers along Igbori Village, in Oyo. Although some of the officers in the patrol team sustained injuries, the assailants were repelled with superior firepower. Armed non-state actors should be aware 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,” Ejibunu added.

Controller Ejibunu also bemoaned smuggling, stating that it retards development of a country. He, however, warned smugglers, saying smuggling undermines the well-being of society as a whole.