The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, on Wednesday, said it intercepted smuggled foreign parboiled rice, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), used clothing, from smugglers in September, 2022.
Speaking to journalists, the acting Customs Area Controller, of the unit, ag Compt. Hussein Ejibunu, said a pump action rifle, two locally made guns and scores of live bullets from smugglers in Ogun state.
Ejibunu, who said the unit also seized 7,328 pieces of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from neighbouring Benin Republic, said N107.8million was recovered from importers who underdeclared their cargoes at the Seaports in September, 2022
He further disclosed that 10 pieces of military camouflage bags, 121,550 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as, petrol was also intercepted.
He said, “Chief among the September seizures was a massive discovery of bales of 1,955 bales of used clothing in an abandoned building around the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex.
“We made the discovery and evacuation using combined strategies of intelligence, tact and enforcement. Also within the same period, a large cache of premium motor spirit (PMS) ingeniously concealed inside sacks was intercepted at the Badagry Axis of Lagos State. Other seizures recorded within the same period are, 7,328 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.
“121,550 litres of premium motor spirit; 68 cartons of frozen poultry; 37 crates of eggs used to conceal rice; 150 kg parcels of Indian Hemp;10 pieces of military Camouflage bags, six units of imported used cars also known as Tokunbo; 1 unit of pump action rifle; 2 units of locally made guns and 35 live cartridges.”
Ejibunu, however, disclosed that the unit is battled ready for the ember period which he said smuggling will increase due to the yuletide period.
He also stressed that the petroleum products seized were disposed because of it volatile nature.
“We are aware that smugglers desperation rises towards the yuletide period. In view of this, we are strategising ahead of them, not only to seize their wares but also to arrest and make them face prosecution.
“For the seized petroleum products, we have gotten them safely disposed due to their volatile nature. I want to advise patriotic members of border communities through which petrol is smuggled to report to us for timely interception, seizure and arrests.
“These quantities of petroleum products in the hands of smugglers could burn down communities and endanger lives and property in the event of fire.
“Also, five suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures mentioned above. Interestingly, the Federal High Court passed three judgements in favor of this unit on three criminal cases; securing the conviction of six people for being in possession of smuggled goods. While six civil suits against the Unit were dismissed for lack of merit,” he pointed out.
Speaking on the 1,955 bale of foreign used clothing seized by the unit, Ejibunu said the seizure was the highest seized by the service in 2022.
“The seizure of used clothing is the highest single seizure made by the service this year, and we have commenced investigation to know those behind this massive importation, and at what entry point these clothes came into the country,” he said.
