This was disclosed by the Zonal Comptroller, FOU, Zone “D”, Peters Olugboyega, during a Media briefing at the Customs House on Thursday in Bauchi stating that: “From January to December 2018, the Unit has made seizures ranging from smuggled Foreign Rice, Foreign Soap, Second Hand Clothing, Spaghetti and even Hard Drugs with total DPV (Duty Paid Value) of N156, 615, 226. 00 compared to N111, 699, 975.00 of the year 2017 despite low economic activities due to the insurgency in Nigeria and dissidence in Cameroon.”
While speaking further on the recent seizures made by the Service, Peters Olugboyega said that On 21st November 2018, the Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘D’ Bauchi while acting on credible Information Patrol, accosted one used Mercedes Benz Truck with Reg. No. ABJ 250 XA, suspected to be carrying contraband that was involved in an accident near a military Check Point along Kano – Bauchi road.
He said the Operatives liaised with the military personnel to evacuate the suspected goods and towed the accident vehicle to the Customs House, Bauchi disclosing that “Upon physical examination, it was discovered to contain 179 bags of 50kg Foreign Rice classified under Chapter 1006 of Common External Tariff (CET) concealed in grain’s Jumbo Sacks with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N6, 627, 000. 00 only.”
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The Operatives of the Unit, according to him, on 30th November 2018, made another seizure of 130 bags of Foreign Rice classified under Chapter 1006 of CET that was re-bagged in Nigerian Lake Rice sacks with total DPV of N1, 872, 000. 00.
He said: “Also, on the 24th November 2018, the Operatives of the Unit made a seizure of 100 cartons of Eva Soap classified under Chapter 3401 of CET with DPV of N1, 800, 000.00,” adding that the total DPV for the 3 seizures is N12, 819, 600. 00.
Peters Olugboyega also said that on December 3rd 2018, the Operatives of the Unit made another seizure of one used Citroen (J5) Bus with Registration No. KMC 855 XB conveying 100 bags of Foreign Rice classified under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of N2, 520, 000.00.
The Comptroller said the action of the Operatives is in line with the provisions of section 8 (Officers to have powers of Police Officers) and section 158 (Power to patrol freely) of Customs and Excise Management Act Cap. C45 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.
He said that in view of the above indices, it shows that the Officers/Men of the Unit are on high spirit in blocking and suppressing smuggling activities in the Zone pointing out that this feat is as a result of the support of the Management headed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali.
He warned that the Service will not fold its arms and watch unscrupulous elements continue to smuggle prohibited goods into the country.
According to him: “Let me use this opportunity to warn the smugglers and would-be smugglers to desist from their nefarious activities, I want to reiterate our firm commitment in making the zone unbearable to them and also we will be sure that they face the full wrath of the law.
“I want the smugglers to know that whatever their antics, we will always be ahead of them, because we have 101 strategies of dealing with them, we will continue to unleash those strategies in order to have a smuggle-free society.”
Peters Olugboyega also warned unscrupulous and hard-line smugglers who will want to capitalise on the festive period to perpetrate unwholesome economic sabotage to the nation by smuggling of un-custom goods in and out of the country disclosing that “I want them to know that the Unit has just launched an operation nicknamed ‘Bellum Against Oryza Sativa’ meaning War on Rice Smuggling.”
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