Customs records seizures worth N2.9billion in FOU Zone B

ZAINAB JUNAID 

"I will like to emphasize that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, l wish to remind all and sundry that our Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled with the duty of implementing the Federal Government directives," Comptroller Wada 

 The intelligence drive and improved strategies deployed by Federal Operation Unit Zone B, Kaduna, has resulted in the seizures of several contrabands, illicit drugs worth Two Billion, Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Naira and Sixty-Eight Kobo (N2,888,460,294.68) DPV.

Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi disclosed this at a first briefing held at the Unit on Tuesday since his assumption of duty as the Comptroller of the Zone.

He highlighted items seized by the Zone to include-61 Used Vehicles with DPV of N2, 073, 835, 718. 23 DPV, 18 Means of conveyance with DPV of N236,386,387.47, 2991 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each) with DPV of     N202,202,737.20, 25 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (25Kg each) with DPV of N994,815.00.

Others are 292 Foreign Refined Vegetable Oils (25litres each) with DPV of N17,943.400.00; 2131 Cartons of Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous with DPV of N17,972,861.32, 640; Bales of Foreign second-hand Clothing with DPV of          N137,356,492.15 among other items.

Comptroller Dalha stressed that in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), all items seized that are more relevant to our sister agencies’ mandate will be handed over to them, the NAFDAC especially, where our Unit will hand over all seized Pharmaceuticals items to them for further investigation and prosecution wherever possible.

To him, “Permit me to also emphasize that our Unit will continue to leverage on the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in terms of all operational processes aimed at achieving optimal results.

“I call on all stakeholders, especially traders and business people, including all Nigerians to eschew all activities that are in violation of the customs extant laws, so that we can continue to respect ourselves and support the development and growth of our national objectives; as we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all acts of smuggling and anti-economic activities are fully challenged and the full force of the law brought to bear.

“We are not unaware that within the ember months and especially this yuletide period, many would want to engage in illegal activities, smugglers and all other unscrupulous traders are warned to steer clear of Zone B, our men are fully on ground and combat ready to act in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

"I will like to emphasize that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, l wish to remind all and sundry that our Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled with the duty of implementing the Federal Government directives," he reiterated.

Comptroller Wada appreciated critical partners- the  Nigeria Military, Nigeria Police Force, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and all other sister agencies for their support and further solicited for more collaboration from all stakeholders in order to achieve the desired goals in the Command.

TCIP Customs Hands Over $54,330 Tramadol Bribe Money to EFCC

TCIP Customs Hands Over $54,330 Tramadol Bribe Money to EFCC 

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, has handed over $54,330 bribe money to Lagos Zonal Commander of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Michael Wetkas.

The tramadol according to a statement made available to journalists by management of the Command, were falsely declared as electrical appliances valued at over N856m with a view to conceal them while the cash were offered to compromise the customs officers.

In the statement, the Area Controller said the act is in clear violation of Section 233 of Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCAA) 2023 and commended the officers who stood their grounds to work ethically and lawfully in the interest of national security.

He further called for continuous compliance on the part of port users and reminded them that the NCS with the collaboration of sister agencies like EFCC will continue to frustrate criminal activities in the port.

Nnadi thanked Comptroller Oloyede, who under his watch, this seizure was achieved and described him as a good example of the NCS. 

He said the two suspects arrested in connection with the two containers are currently being investigated by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control for possible prosecution. 

While receiving the cash at the Command's headquarters, Mr. Michael Wekas described the feat as a victory for the country and to all the security agencies. He specifically celebrated the officers of the NCS that achieved it. 

Wetkas further lauded the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, for the commendation letter given out to appreciate the six Customs Officers who refused to bow to pressure and inducement from the owners of the illicit drugs. 

He thus promised continued collaboration between the EFCC, NCS and other sister agencies. 

His words, "the era of working without collaboration is gone as the agencies now work closer."