By Milcah Tanimu
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted contraband worth N10.39 billion from January to December 2023. The Customs Area Controller, Compt. Hassan Ejibunu, announced the interception of 1,119 contraband items in the South-West during the reviewed period.
The intercepted contraband includes 139 trucks (83,170 bags) of foreign parboiled rice, 13,706 25-litre kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 8,372 kg of Indian Hemp, 2,942 pieces of tires, 2,153 bales of used clothes, 3,095 cartons of frozen poultry, 320 cartons of illicit drugs, 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, 68 pieces of military camouflage, 450 drums of 106 kg of carbide, 1 X 40 ft, and 2 X 20 ft containers found to contain charcoal, and 132 units of foreign-used vehicles.
Additionally, the customs unit arrested 136 suspected smugglers, charging them to court, with 16 individuals already convicted through the Federal High Courts for offenses related to improper importation, assault of Customs officers, possession of foreign parboiled rice, and possession of Pangolin scales meant for export.
Compt. Ejibunu emphasized the unit’s commitment to intensify efforts in preventing smuggling, issuing a warning to noncompliant importers that they would lose their investments. He also cautioned against attacks on customs officers, stating that attackers would face the full wrath of the law.
The Customs Area Controller expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and other stakeholders, while reiterating the unit’s dedication to battling smuggling activities.
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