Contraband valued at sum of N42.12 Million have been seized by Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS , FOU) Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Bauchi, between February 1st and May 7th, 2019 with a warning on smugglers to look for other clean means of livelihood rather than the criminal and dangerous acts of snuggling.
The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Peters Olugboyega, disclosed this while briefing Journalists on Friday, at the Zonal office in Bauchi disclosing that, “On 13th April, 2019, the unit made an arrest of one used truck carrying 700 cartons of foreign spaghetti and 500 bags of 50kgs of foreign rice re-bagged in 250 jumbo bags of 100kgs each, along Darazo-Bauchi road. These are classified under the heading 1902 and 1006 respectively of Common External Tariff with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N18, 660, 000 only”.
He added that, “On 5th March, 2019, the operatives of the unit made a seizure of 180 bags of 50kgs foreign rice along Darazo-Bauchi road with a total Duty Paid Value of N2, 592, 000 only.”
He further added that operatives of the unit on patrol also along Darazo-Bauchi road on 15th March 2019, seized 210 bags of 50kgs of foreign rice valued at N3, 024, 000. While on 4th April, 2019, on the same route, 130 bags of 50kgs of foreign rice was also seized valued at N1, 872, 000 only.
Peters Olugboyega further said that operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, ‘Zone D’ Bauchi, acting on credible information patrol on 1st February, 2019, intercepted one used Peugeot Bus with Registration Number LEH 857 XA carrying 70 bags of 50kgs of rice concealed in Dangote Flour Bags along Bauchi-Jos road, valued at N2, 088, 000 only.
Also along Bauchi-Jos road, the Custom Zonal boss said operatives of the unit on 27th March, 2019, seized 70 bags of 50kgs of foreign rice loaded in one used Peugeot Bus GJB 64 XA valued N2, 088, 000 only.
He disclosed that: “On 27th March, 2019, the operatives of the unit, made a seizure of one used Peugeot Bus with Reg. No. DUT 268 XA carrying 12 Jumbo bags of worn Foreign foot-wears along Bauchi-Gombe road, classified under the heading 6405 of CET with Duty Paid Value of N1, 480, 000 only.
“On 24th April 2019, another seizure of 612 pieces of tyres was made by our operatives along Darazo-Bauchi road classified under the heading 4011 of Common External Tariff with Duty Paid Value of N4, 406, 400 only.”
According to Peter Olugboyega on 16th April, 2019, a joint operations from Yola, Adamawa State, while on credible information patrol, ran into an accident scene involving one Toyota Carina with chasis no.5B153ABK10E083883 and one Scania truck with chassis no. 3646792200 loaded with 384 bags of 50kgs of foreign rice valued at N5, 529, 600 only.
He added that on 17th and 26th April, 2019, the operatives of the unit in Yola, Adamawa state, seized 25 bags of foreign rice along Gella Road in Mubi Local Government Area and along Daware-Wuroboki bush road valued at N382, 500 only.
Peter Olugboyega said, “these unprecedented seizures” were achieved by intelligence gathering, sharing of information and doggedness of the Officers/Men in making the Zone unbearable for smugglers”.
He added that the actions of the operatives was in accordance 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 (CEMA) Cap C45 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.
The Zonal Comptroller who pleaded with Nigerians to assist in giving genuine information that would aid in eradicating the menace of smuggling in the country opined that eradicating smuggling would boost the economy and cause a reduction in crime rate.
He warned smugglers that: “My advice to unscrupulous elements is if you cannot help to kill or suppress smuggling, do not frustrate the concerted efforts being made by Customs Officers fighting it.
” I also want to warn the smugglers to look for another means of livelihood as we are committed to making the Zone a no go area for them until they are out of illegitimate business. “