Author: Gift Wada, Abuja

In compliance with the Federal Government directives aimed at ensuring food security in the country, Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has toughened vigilance at its borders to checkmate any attempt to smuggle out food products even as the Command intercepted one trailer fully loaded with bags of grains.

Physical examination of the truck revealed that it contained 800bags of white sorghum valued at six million, two hundred and twenty-seven thousand and two hundred naira (6,227,200) naira.

Briefing newsmen on the Command activities in the last two weeks in Birnin Kebbi, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Attah revealed that the outbound Daf truck with Reg. No. JEG 27 XB was intercepted by Rapid Response Team of the Command along Maidahini-Bunza Road on 15th May 2022.

Attah noted that the ongoing crisis between countries known for grain production has created uncertainty in the global grains market.

“As countries look elsewhere for these essential products, it is imperative to secure our locally produced grains to avoid being plunged into a food crisis.
“In addition to putting our officers and men on high alert, we have undertaken stakeholders’ engagements across all the Command’s borders, enlightening border communities on the implication of exporting farm produce, especially grains.” He said

Reeling out the Command’s achievements in the span of two weeks from 1st to 15th May 2022, he said The Duty Paid Value of all the items seized during the period under review is N27,677,659.

Seizures include; two hundred and nine (209) jerricans (5,225 Liters) of PMS, eighteen jerricans (450 litres) of AGO, one Daf Truck used as means of conveyance, thirty-nine (39) bags of foreign parboiled rice, five cartons of medicaments and ten (10) bales of second-hand clothing, among others.

Commenting on the recent reopening of Kamba Border and reactivation of the Command’s ICT centre, Comptroller Attah assured stakeholders that the Command is ready to facilitate legitimate trade for all stakeholders who choose to transact their business through the Command, stressing that all relevant units at the border have agreed to jointly examine consignments to remove unnecessary delays.

Customs in Ogun Intercepts Goods Worth Over N100 million in April

“What we only ask for is compliance vis-a-vis proper documentation, truthful declaration and appropriate payment of duty”, he said.

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Author: Cynthia Idowu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, said it intercepted goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N100,132,756 in the Month of April.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bamidele Makinde disclosed this on Tuesday at the Command’s Idiroko headquarters while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command for the month of April.

He said the command intercepted 19 boat engines and eight trailer loads of foreign rice during its anti-smuggling activities last month in Ogun State.

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The boat engines – five new and 14 used pieces – worth N17.322million were reportedly caught at the bush part in the border area, with the smugglers taking to their heels.

He further disclosed that “a total of 4,603 bags/50kg each of foreign parboiled rice (the equivalent of 8 trailer loads) were intercepted last month.”

Seizures made also include; 37,450 Litres of PMS (1,498 kegs of 25 litres each), 300 Cartons of Frozen Poultry Products, 3 Sacks of Cannabis Sativa, 900 Pieces of Machetes, 7 Bales and 7 Sacks of foreign used Clothing, 2, 195 Pieces of foreign used shoes, 1, 020 Pieces/451 Pieces of New/Used Ladies’ Hand Bag, 89 Cartons of Foreign Wine.

Others are; 22 Cartons of Noni Berry Daily Drink, 8 Units of Vehicle (means of conveyance), 2 Units of Foreign Used Vehicle (Tokunbo), 2 Units of Motorcycle (means of conveyance), and 35 Cartons and 12 Packets of Tomatoes Paste.

Bamidele said, during the period, the command generated N6,048,500.00 from auction sales of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol, intercepted at different locations and exit points to Republic of Benin during our anti-smuggling operations.

While insisting that the land border reopening only allows the import and export of legitimate goods, he expressed hope that the Command’s revenue generation would improve significantly following the recent reopening of the border at Idiroko.

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CGC Strike Force Team “A” Seizes Goods worth 6 Billion in 8 Weeks

Author: Cynthia Idowu, Abuja

The Comptroller General of Customs, Strike Force Team “A” of the Nigeria Customs Service headed by Deputy Comptroller of Customs Muhammed Sani Yusuf, has made outstanding Seizures within the period of Eight Weeks.

Yusuf made this known to Pressmen at Customs Training College, Ikeja Lagos. He further told the WatchDogs that the Seizures were made possible, due to the diligence of the Team’s 24 Hour Patrol using the logistics support provided by the CGC, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd).

A breakdown of the Seizures are; 1,030 slabs of donkey skin, 387kg of cannabis Sativa, 285 bales of used clothes and 4000 bags of foreign parboiled rice (an equivalent of about 7 truckloads).

Other items seized are 1,613 cartons of Codeine cough syrup (100ml per bottle), 132 cartons of 200mg Sildenafil Citrate, 40 cartons of Tramadol, 5 cartons of Chilly Cutter, 1,080 pairs of ladies’ shoes, 110 cartons of ladies’ bags, 115 cartons
of ladies gel among other items.

The cumulative duty paid value of the seized items stood at Six Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-four Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-two Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty Naira. (N6,644,472,520).

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Speaking further on the Container that concealed some Cartons of Codein, Sildenafil Citrate and Tramadol, Muhammed Yusuf said, it was tracked from India.

“You know these Guys are dubious, the Container was tracked from Mumbai, eventually it came to Nigeria. It was later diverted from going to the Bonded Terminal and headed straight to the Market” he explained.

He also noted that the suspects declared the goods to be cutting machines but on an examination by the Operatives, it was discovered to be filled with Hard drugs. “The Suspects have been arrested and a full investigation has commenced” he added.

According to him, the Container load of Lady’s Shoes, Bags and Gel was seized because the seal was cut off, which is against the rule of engagement. He further encouraged Nigerians to patronize Made in Nigeria Products.

A total sum of One Billion, Three Hundred and Fifty-five Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-two Thousand, Two Hundred and Six eight Naira ( N1,355,892,268) was recovered as revenue for the Months of March and April 2022.

He sends out strong warnings to those contravening Customs Laws and Federal Government Fiscal Policies to turn a new leaf or be caught up in the Web of the Law.

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