Intercepts 50 Contrabands Worth ₦462.7M DPV in July
ZAINAB JUNAID
As part of continuous efforts to suppress smuggling and safeguard national security, the Federal Operations Unit Zone A Ikeja of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested 13 suspects in connection with 50 contrabands which worth a Duty Paid Value(DPV) of Four Hundred and Sixty-Two Million, Seven Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Naira (N462,708,875) in the month of July 2023.
The seizures weere made within the period under review for non-compliance with the extant Customs laws.
Customs Area Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu disclosed this yesterday adding that the sum of Sixty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Fourty-Six Naira, Fourty-One Kobo (N66,493,346.41) was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid.
CAC Ejibunu said this feat was in recognition of the responsibility bestowed on the Federal Operations Unit to suppress smuggling, block revenue leakages, facilitate legitimate trade, collect revenue and contribute to national security.
He listed the siezed items to include among others- 5,642 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 9 trailer loads); 18,925 litres (757 X 25 litres jerry cans of premium motor spirit); 20 pieces of pistol pouches; 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets; 15 pieces of jack knives; 49 cartons of children school shoes; 181(87 kg) parcels of Indian Hemp; 357 kegs X 5 litres of vegetable oil; 1 unit of Honda Motorcycle; 2 used (Tokumbo) vehicles.
According to him, "The arrested suspects are currently at different stages of investigations and prosecution. I will also hand over three (3) suspects and cannabis sativa with a net weight of 7,728 kilogrammes to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command for further investigation and prosecution.
“It is pertinent to know that the importation of all forms of bulletproof materials such as vests, ballistic materials and vehicles, as well as parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, arms and ammunition of all kinds; lethal and non-lethal requires an end-user certificate.
”An end-user certificate is applied to, and issued by the office of the national security adviser which loses its validity after one year from the issuance date. The FOU boss said anyone importing a controlled item must do so within the validity period of the end-user certificate.
“Seizures recorded within the period under review are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods.
“This success story will not be complete without my expression of gratitude to the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR whose maiden working visit to the Unit was a morale booster.
“I also use this medium to thank him and members of the management team for stoking our logistics for more gainful performance," he said.
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