Customs Zone B Seizes goods worth N4Bn DPV in 2023,

...an 100% increase of seizures made in 2022

...Hands over four suspects arrested in connection with 71 seizures to DSS Kaduna in December

ZAINAB JUNAID

Federal Operations Unit(FOU) Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized hard drugs and other assorted goods at various intervals, worth about Four Billion Naira (N4 billion) in Duty Paid Value(DPV) from 1st January to 31st December, 2023, depicting 100% increase in seizures made in 2022, that is, #2,345,155,577.38.

Comptroller DALHA WADA CHEDI, Comptroller of the Unit, disclosed this at a breifing held on Thursday January 4, 2024 at the units headquarters, Kaduna, to showcase seizures made in the last month of 2023.

Comptroller Dahla said this feat is an indication that the operatives of the Unit have up-the-ante in the fight against smuggling in the Zone.

The Unit also handed over four suspects arrested in connection with 71 items seized to the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Kaduna State Command on Wednesday 27 December 2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs.

According to the Comptroller, the total of Seventy-One (71) seizures of 12 different items were intercepted at various locations in the Zone, which are of grave implications to the health and safety of Nigerians.

“I must also say that the extent of seizures we were able to make during the period is a fulfillment of our pledge that the Unit will ensure full compliance with the FGN directives on closure of all land borders with Niger republic. 

“Remarkably among the 71 seized items was the arrest made on the 15th December, 2023 at about 1400hrs, the operatives of the Unit arrested a container truck based on credible intelligence along Lokoja-Abuja expressway suspected to be conveying prohibited items. After a 100% physical examination, Thirty-Seven Bales and Four (4) Rolls of Nigeria Police Camouflage Uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck. Four (4) suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.

“Considering the nature of the items and its possibility of being utilized for nefarious activities by unscrupulous elements, the seized police camouflage uniforms, 4 suspects together with the means of conveyance were all handed over to the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Kaduna State Command on Wednesday 27 December 2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs.

“It is also pertinent to let you know that the seizures were made in different parts of the Zone with the Duty Paid Value of Four hundred and Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Ninety-One Naira, Thirty-Four Kobo (₦406,924,091.34) only.

“The breakdown showed that, due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the FOU, Zone B operatives, Eight (8) used vehicles as well as Two (2) Means of Conveyance were impounded during the period," he explained.

Comptroller Wada Chedi further revealed that constant patrol of the Unit operatives, resulted to the seizures of 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), which would have made their ways into the markets, and consumed by the people, despite the hazards, some of such imported grains posed to health. 

"Various strategies deployed by the operatives also led to interception and seizure of 877 Jerry-cans (25 litres each) of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS)," he said.

However, in line with the extant laws and guidelines as directed by the Customs Headquarters, the PMS that were seized have been auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government.

Other seizures made during the period include; 240 bales of  Foreign Second Hand  Clothing, 10 Jerry-cans of Foreign  Refined Vegetable  Oil (25 litres each), 415 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni and Couscous, 349 Cartons of  Foreign New Shoes (Unisex), 500mg of 3,400 Sachets of Foreign  Amoxicillin and 35 Cartons of Foreign Flame Lighters.

"It is instructive to note that the recognition of the renewed effort of the operatives of the Unit led to the Customs Headquarters, giving the Unit a Letter of Commendation earlier in 2023. This development, I must say has contributed to the boosting of the morale of the Officers and Men of the Unit," the Comptroller explained.

 

At this juncture, let me on behalf of all the Officers and Men of the Unit; reiterate my commitment at enforcing the Federal Government Fiscal policies in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as our operatives are battle-ready to carry out our mandate effectively. I also need to assure the citizenry through you, members of the Media, that the operatives of the Unit in this New Year are poised like never before, to foil all attempts by smugglers at importing any prohibited goods into its area of jurisdiction as well as recover all underpaid duties into the government’s coffers.