Within a space of two months, between January and February 2017, the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos, deepened its anti-smuggling operations by intercepting various contrabands and other goods on detention with a duty paid value, DPV, of N713,838,950.00.
The unit also recovered N650,314,436.90 from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airport and border stations in the guise of false declaration, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the federal government of Nigeria, making a total of N1,364,153,386.90
During the review period, 197 different seizures were recorded comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical/medicaments and various general merchandise.
“Notably, 23000 bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice with a duty paid of N149,500,000.00 is still under seal in an unnamed warehouse in Lagos awaiting relevant importation document for further necessary action. Also, Demand Notices of over N100million has been issued to two auto dealers/assemblers under customs seal awaiting payment for infractions on their import transactions, while some are still undergoing court trials. Over 16x40ft containers under detention are on thorough investigation and appropriate DN would be raised and seizures effected where applicable,” said Haruna Mamudu, the Controller, Federal Operations Unit ‘A’.
He commended the officers and men of the Unit for living up to their statutory responsibilities in suppression of smuggling, blocking all revenue leakages and enhancing trade facilitation towards sustaining best international standards. He thanked Hameed Ibrahim Ali, Comptroller General of Customs, for his effort in recognizing hard work and diligence to duty without any compromise.
Mamudu challenged those who might have genuine importation document from the seaport to come forward for their claims rather than breaching the law of the Land. He added that the Unit’s action is in conformity with the law of the Federation of Nigeria as enshrined in sections 147, 148, and 158 of the Customs Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004.
The Controller appealed to all well meaning Nigerians to see smuggling as a crime, evil, and threat to national development And security. He added that the war against these economic saboteurs is a collective responsibility of every patriotic Nigerians He therefore enjoined all hands to be on deck on the fight against smuggling rather than aiding and abetting these criminal elements.