Customs Corner

How Smugglers Met Their Waterloo in 2022 – DC Ejibunu

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2023

Author: Lucy Ulugbe; Lagos.

The Acting Comptroller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, DC Hussein Ejibunu, has revealed that the year 2022 was a period of sustained anti-smuggling onslaught, zero compromise for duty evasion, and diligent facilitation of trade.

Ejibunu made this known on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Unit for the year 2022.

He said the Unit prosecuted its core mandates without fear or favor, while also preventing loss of government revenue by uncovering attempts at evading duties.

In his words, “We prosecuted our core mandates without fear or favor in the six states of the South-West namely: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo states, Even in the face of resistance, attacks, and tricks in the mode of concealment, we were duty bound to carry out our responsibilities. I am glad to report that we shook the smuggling world within our area of responsibility.”

“This Unit also prevented loss of government revenue as our assigned position of being a layer of check uncovered attempts at evading duties. We recovered the discovered shortfalls through the issuance of demand notices (DN).” He stressed.

“We did all these at the expense of our lives placing national interest ahead of any narrow or personal gain. It is sad to note that some of our officers paid the supreme price last year when they got killed by smugglers. For us, they are the heroes of the anti-smuggling battle and they will never be forgotten.” He noted.

On Anti Smuggling, the Acting Comptroller said, the Unit from January 1 to December 31, 2022, made a total seizure of smuggled items worth a duty paid value of Thirteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Eight Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty-six Naira, Five Kobo (N13,908,575,435.5).

He said, aside from protecting the national economy, some of the seizures achieved protection of citizens’ health because dangerous, expired, and harmful products were prevented from being smuggled into the country.

The items seized were foreign parboiled rice, vehicles, drugs, textiles, petroleum products, and other items in the import and export prohibition lists.

Ejibunu said rice topped the list of seizures in terms of volume. The unit seized 93,102 X 50kg which amounts to about 156 trailer loads of rice. He revealed that the newly constructed warehouse had an overflow of seized rice.

“A total number of 108 automobiles comprising of trucks, tankers, cars, and motorcycles were also
seized as smuggled items and means of conveyance of smuggled items.

Illicit drugs seized within the year under review were; 2,354 kg and 4,976 tablets of Cannabis sativa, 233 cartons X 225 milligrams, and 82 packs X 225 milligrams of Tramadol.

For petroleum products, the Unit seized 656,414 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS); that is, about 20 tanker loads of fuel from economic saboteurs”. He explained.

“We arrested 176 smuggling suspects last year, 7 secured convictions, 14 were charged to court and are at various stages of investigation and prosecution, 7 suspects are in detention; 2 suspects were handed over to NDLEA, and 1 suspect was handed over to the Nigerian Police respectively, while 151 are on administrative bail.” He said.

“On a sad note, four (4) of our officers namely; Late Inspectors of Customs TP Astor, and A Onwueguzie, and Assistant Inspectors of Customs, Musa, R and Bristol, E lost their lives in active service while confronting smugglers last year. While we frowned at such murderous acts; we also ensured that those behind some of the killings were arrested to face justice.” He noted.

“As approved by our enabling laws, the Unit patrolled within its area of responsibility and ensured that smuggled items were uncovered and seized wherever they were hidden. Our round-the-clock patrol is ever recharged as we don’t believe in leave, not even during the yuletide. Those who doubted this and attempted smuggling during the yuletide were shocked at our Christmas and New Year period operations.” He emphasized.

On Revenue, he said, the unit recovered shortfalls in duty payments and achieved a total collection of Eight Hundred and Seventy-eight Million, Three Hundred and Fourty-four Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-six Naira, Ninety-six Kobo. (N878,344,486.96) as revenue for the government in 2022.

“This collected revenue would have been lost but for the intervention of FOU ‘A’, checking to be sure correct duties were paid into government coffers.” He stated.

On trade Facilitation, Ejibunu said, within the period under review, the unit provided support for the facilitation of legitimate trade, ensuring ease of passage for compliant traders and double-checking suspected non-compliant traders.

“We also provided escort services for cargoes under bond to their respective destinations across the country.” He emphasized.

Ejibunu thanked the Comptroller General of Customs and his Management Team
for their unflinching support while also urging smugglers and their collaborators to seek legitimate means of livelihood.

“We want to thank the CGC and his management team for their unflinching support throughout last year and the previous years.” He said.

“For 2023, we shall sustain and increase the tempo of our anti-smuggling operations, ensuring zero compromise as usual, arresting perpetrators, and seizing their wares.”He stated.

“We want to advise smugglers and their collaborators to seek legitimate means of livelihood this year as this Unit will continually make life unbearable for them through interdictions, arrests, seizures, and diligent prosecution.” He concluded.

Customs Corner

Nigeria Customs Service Hosts 3-Day Workshop on Data Generation, Analytics

Published

9 hours ago

May 18, 2024

GiftUgbede

Author: Ruth Akata, Abang Maryrose.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has inaugurated a three-day capacity-building workshop on data generation, analytics, and storage on Monday, 13 May 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada to enhance the service’s capabilities in modern customs operations through improved data handling.

ACG Malanta Yusuf, representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the critical role of data in strategic planning and operational efficiency. He also highlighted that effective decision-making relies heavily on robust data generation and analytics. He stressed that historical data is essential for organisations like Customs, responsible for border management and trade facilitation.

“This workshop is designed to equip officers with comprehensive knowledge in various aspects of data management.” He said.

ACG Yusuf encouraged attendees to engage fully, noting that the training would enhance their ability to understand smuggling networks, identify high-risk threats, and gather intelligence. “This practical learning experience aims to empower you in your roles, contributing to the overall success of the NCS.” He emphasised.

He also highlighted the importance of innovative solutions and the integration of geospatial intelligence into current data analysis practices. He called on officers to approach the workshop enthusiastically, emphasising that the skills acquired would foster professional development and operational efficiency.

Expressing gratitude, Yusuf thanked CGC Adeniyi, the organisers, and the participants for their contributions to the session. He hoped the training would serve as a catalyst for continuous learning and improvement within the NCS.

Customs Corner

CGC Adeniyi Decorates Newly Confirmed Members of Customs Management Team

Published

3 days ago

May 16, 2024

GiftUgbede

Author: Muhammad Bashir.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Wednesday, 15 May 2024, decorated thirteen (13) members of his management team with their new ranks at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja amidst calls to redouble their commitment and dedication to the success of the service.

In a press statement signed immediately after the ceremony by Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the spokesman of the service revealed that CGC Adewale Adeniyi decorated 5 Deputy Comptroller-Generals and 8 Assistant Comptroller-Generals following the approval of their appointments by the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) on Tuesday, 14 May 2024.

According to the statement, their appointment and approval followed the due process of the Federal Character Commission’s laws and principles of seniority. Most importantly, their appointment was in view of their exemplified dedication and commitment to the service.”

Shortly before decorating the 13 newly promoted officers, the CGC charged them to double their devotion and determination to promote the Nigeria Customs Service selflessly.

While urging them to intensify their contribution to the fight against smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation, the customs boss also enjoined the new heads of departments to ensure they have a shared vision on how to fulfil the mandate for each department.

He said, “I must emphasise, as usual, that this level of your placement in the service requires your utmost discipline at all times. You must conduct yourselves in a manner that sets a good example for the officers behind you.”

The decorated DCGs are Suleiman Bomai as DCG/Commander Training and Doctrine Command; Bello Jibo as DCG in charge of Enforcement Inspection & Investigation; Beatrice Nwafor as DCG in charge of Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives; and Caroline Niagwan as DCG Tariff & Trade.

The newly confirmed Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs are Baba Imam as ACG Board, Adekunle Oloyode as ACG Trade & Tariff, and Sambo Dangaladima as ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘B’. Abdulrazaq Abdulazeez as ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’; and Sai’du Yusuf as ACG Human Resource Development.

Others are NP Umoh as ACG Training and Doctrine Command, Charles Obih as ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’, and Ciroma Sulaiman as ACG Strategic Research and Policy.

Customs Corner

Ogun I Customs Intercepts Contraband Worth N380 Million in 1Month

Published

7 days ago

May 12, 2024

GiftUgbede

Author: Abass Quadri.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has recorded a milestone with the interception of contraband worth N380 million in one month.

Addressing newsmen at his maiden briefing on Thursday, 9 May 2024, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller James Ojo, said the achievement was recorded within 23 days of his assumption of office.

“Since I took over the leadership of the Command on 16 April 2024, we have hit the ground running and to the glory of God, it is with pleasure that we announce to you our anti-smuggling exploits and other achievements recorded.”

“So far, the seizures under review include 90 sacks & 1,309 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 1,596 pieces of foreign used tyres, 2,922 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 32 bales of used clothes, 1,603 cartons of frozen poultry products, and 22,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit among others”. He Stated.

The CAC further explained that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items amounts to N380,370,911.00, adding that the intelligence-driven interception took place at different locations within Ogun State with the strategic efforts of the intelligence Network.

He urged stakeholders to remain compliant and assured of the Command’s maximum cooperation.

“Let me use this medium to encourage our compliant traders to remain steadfast and be assured of our maximum cooperation. Our doors are wide open for consultation and required support”. He stated.

The CAC warned economic saboteurs to avoid smuggling activities and embrace legitimate trade. “Anyone caught in the act will be made to face the wrath of the law”.

Comptroller Ojo appreciated the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi and his management for their support, which has helped motivate gallant officers in executing their duties as well as critical stakeholders in playing their part.