The Federal Operations Unit, Zone “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service led by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu intercepted remarkable Seizures in July 2022.

This was made known at a Press Briefing organised at the Unit on the 4th of August, 2022. The Unit Boss listed some of the notable Seizures as; 7,261 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice(equivalent to 12 trucks load), 600 bags of basmati rice (5kg each), 34,725 litres of petroleum motor spirit (PMS), 39 bales of used clothes, 225 pieces of used tyres, 201 cartons of expired seasoning (Chicken Cubes), 331 cartons of frozen poultry, 6 units of used imported cars, 2,634 cartons of slippers/shoes, 900 pairs of used shoes and 42 units of used motorcycles.

According to him, the Seizures had a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of Five Hundred and Thirty
Seven Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and
Twenty-Seven Naira, Five Kobo (N537,479,927.5) with Nine Suspects.

While showcasing the Seizures, he beaconed on all Nigerians to be wary of what they consume “These seasoning expired since December 2021. They were imported after expiration with French language inscription, can you see the desperation of Smugglers? It is possible also, that after importing, they repackage and sell to unsuspecting Nigerians.”

He attributed the consequences to different forms of disease meant to deplete the Population through unethical and unorthodox means, which needs to be stopped.

“We produce good seasoning, certified by NAFDAC and other regulatory Agencies and we have not heard of any problems with our seasoning here, It is pitiful that a fellow will go out and bring in expired seasoning” he reiterated.

Speaking on the means Smugglers now device to smuggle foreign parboiled rice, Hussein Ejibunu described it as worrisome. He said Smugglers use Motorcycles to ferry the smuggled goods, which has made it difficult to arrest them “There are thirty-two Motorcycles being intercepted with rice at different locations like Ilaro, Aiyetoro all in Ogun State.”

He disclosed that, through meticulous checks on import documents, followed with the issuance of demand notices to importers/agents found to have short paid their duties; the sum of Twenty-four Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty-One Naira, Seventy-One Kobo (N24,957,351.71) was collected as revenue. He said the amount would have been lost to some non-compliant importers/agents if not for the watchfulness and the uncompromising disposition of officers of the Unit.

He beaconed on complaint importers and agents to sustain their compliance level, as the Unit and the Service remain resolute in facilitating legitimate trade.

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The Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command have intercepted a 1×20ft Container No. SUDU-7538656 manifested as 272 cartons of stainless steel hotpot, it was captured/declared as cooking appliances, measuring/checking instruments and furnace burners to evade arrest.
The container upon joint examination with relevant agencies was found to contain 55 cartons of Tramadol concealed in food flasks with a Duty Paid Value of N1.375 billion.

According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, each carton of tramadol contains 50 rolls, each roll contains 10 packs, and each pack contains 10 sachets. He said the seizure is in line with the provisions of sections 46 &47 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

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Comptroller Yusuf said, the Command is fully on alert to ensure that illicit importation is completely eradicated, he urged importers/agents to acquaint themselves with import and export prohibition guidelines to safeguard the nation’s economy and security.

“It is pertinent to reiterate our resilience in ensuring that importation of such illicit hard drugs are detected, seized and handed over to the appropriate agency for further regulatory action. Furthermore, I would like to use this medium to advise importers/agents to acquaint themselves with import and export prohibition guidelines to safeguard the nation’s economy and security.”

The National President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Engineer Mansur Ahmed led his Team on what can be described as a “working visit” to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja.

They were warmly received by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).

According to the MAN President, the visit aimed to seek urgent intervention, seeing that Manufacturers and the Sector itself was experiencing hard times due to the looming global Economic meltdown occasioned by Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

In the domestic domain, Mansur Ahmed cited insecurity, the decline in crude oil revenues and lack of adequate supply of some critical goods among the reasons precipitating almost a collapse in the economy.

He, therefore, requested the intervention of the Nigeria Customs Service to help the Sector survive these trying times.

He stated that the Service can intervene in the areas of seamless clearance of imports, and exportation of raw materials and spare parts to, boost the foreign exchange earnings, noting that, the Nigeria Customs Service is a critical Agency that facilitates trade.

Other areas mentioned by the MAN President that requires intervention are; Classification of goods, arbitrary upliftments in freight and insurance, issuance of PAAR on Semi Knocked Down (SKD) as Fully Built Units (FBU) and proper implementation of the fiscal policy, specifically the section activating the National list under Chapter 99 of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET).

This Section specifically reduces import duty for verifiable Investors/Manufacturers importing raw materials and other inputs, to stimulate growth in critical sectors of the economy.

The CGC while expressing gratitude for the visit, identified the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria as an important sector of the Economy, noting that, since oil no longer sustains the economy, the viability of the Manufacturing Sector must be given serious attention.

“I have directed all Zonal Coordinators to arrange Monthly Zonal meetings with MAN at different Zones of the Nation for deliberations on how to help the Manufacturing Sector to grow” CGC reiterated.

The Customs Boss said, his Team going forward will convey an annual meeting with the Manufacturing Sector to further propose ways and solutions that will sustain manufacturing and promote the Export of processed goods.

Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) assured the delegation that the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service under his watch will proffer solutions to the issues raised as it is of uttermost benefit to the ultimate growth and development of the economy.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria also known as MAN was founded in 1971 with its Headquarter in Lagos, the organization is aimed at promoting, made in Nigeria products, advice and partnering with the government on infrastructural facilities needed by manufacturers to improve the brand presence of made in Nigerian products and encouraging its members to produce products for the growth of the Country.