Customs seize N276 million worth of contraband goods in 8 months

Contraband valued at the sum of N276, 698, 800 have been seized by Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Bauchi of the Nigeria Customs Service between January and September 2019.

The disclosure was made by the Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Nigeria customs Peters Olugboyega, while briefing Journalists on Tuesday, at the Zonal headquarters in Bauchi.

He said that Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘D’ Bauchi made a seizure of Pangolin shells worth N220.5 million on 9th August 2019 along Mubi-Michika road axis.

According to him: “On the 9th August 2019, the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D’ Bauchi while acting on credible information along Mubi-Michika axis spotted some people removing sacks from a broken down vehicle parked by the roadside. On sighting the official patrol vehicle of the Service, these people took to their heels into the nearby bush, their action triggered curiosity from our operatives”.

He added that “Upon searching the abandoned sacks, it was found to contain 200Kg of Pangolin Shells classifiable under HS Code 0507.1090.00 of Common External Tariff (CET) with the total DPV of N220, 500,000.00.”

He also said that on the 5th August 2019, the Operatives made another seizure along Jengre-Jos axis of One (1) Used Nissan Vanette Bus with Reg. No. SGD 831 XA carrying 50 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of N2, 890,800.00 only.

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The Zonal Comptroller Nigeria customs also said that on the 5th August 2019, the Operatives made another seizure along Darazo-Gombe axis of 20 Bales of Second Hand Clothing (worn cloth) with the total DPV of N1, 920,000.00 only.

He added that on the 27th July 2019; the Operatives made seizure along Jos-Bauchi road of 18 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of N259,200.00 only.

According to Peter Olugboyega: “On the 5th July 2019; the Operatives made seizure along Zaki-Azare axis of Four (4) Used Volkswagen Golf with Registration No. AE 492 AGA, AH 130 KTG, AA 889 TWD and AG 71 GML carrying 182 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of N6, 940,800.00 only.

“On the 30th June 2019; the Operatives made another seizure along Zaki-Potiskum axis of One (1) Used Volkswagen Golf with Registration No. AA 710 DJA, carrying 46 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of Common External Tariff (CET) with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1, 742,400.00 only”, he added.

‘It may interest you to know that the Unit has from January to September made series of Seizures, ranging from Foreign Rice, Used tyres, Foreign Spaghetti, Second Hand Clothing (Worn Cloth) and Animal Products with the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) N276, 698,800.00 only.” He stated

He said that these unprecedented seizures were made as a result of intelligence and determination on the NCS operatives in making the Zone unbearable for smugglers and appreciated the efforts of other sister agencies especially the Department of State Security for giving them intelligence in making some of these seizures.

Peter Olugboyega pleaded with Community Leaders to talk to their people to support the efforts of the Officers and Men of the Service in suppressing smuggling in the Country.

“The ongoing closure of borders otherwise known as “Border Drill” is to enforce compliant of ECOWAS Trade Agreement/Protocol among member Nations’ which has started yielding positively with the unprecedented rise in revenue generation, reduction in insecurity, wealth and job creation,” he said.

He then warned: “To those unscrupulous elements, I want them to know that there is no hidden place for them and whatever their strategy, we will always be ahead of them.”