THE Federal Operations Unit, FOU of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in Lagos, Friday said It confiscated smuggled cargoes valued at N2.9billion in the first three months of the year just as it apprehended 29 suspects for various trade infractions.
Speaking with Newsmen, Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Hussaine Ejibunu said that a total of 12,278 50kilogrammes of par-boiled rice equivalent to to 21 trailers of rice were wiped within the period under review.
Ejibunu also said 40 units of used vehicles, 286 cartons of rubber slippersz
1,220 cartons of foreign tomato pastez
2,705 kegs of premium motor spirit,
3,510 pieces of pneumatic used tyres, 330 bales of used clothes, 2,230 kg of Indian Hemp,1,569 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products 365 cartons of unmarked drugs, 104 units of Haojuo Motorcycle and 566 cartons of slippers.
He said: “Revenue recovery made within the period under review was N305,310,010.44 this represents 67% collection of the N455,202,073.97 revenue target for the year 2024.
Just recently, officers of this Unit were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were being shot by some armed men suspected to be smugglers along Igbori Village, in Oyo State. Although some of the officers in the patrol team sustained injuries, but the assailants were repelled with superior fire power.
“Smuggling is the illegal movement of goods either within the country or across international borders in violation of applicable laws as prescribed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023) and other extant regulations.
“Citizens should avoid smuggling because it is a criminal offence against the state; participating in it has legal consequences such as hefty fines, imprisonment, or other legal sanctions. For example, Section 228 (false statements/declaration), section 231(counterfeiting any seal, signature, initials or any mark used by any officer), section 229 (an intentional entry of goods for less duty payment).
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“Therefore, citizens must avoid smuggling because it does not only pose legal and safety risks, but also undermines the well-being of society as a whole.
“Smuggling impacts society negatively by short-changing the economy through tax evasion, affects public health and safety, distorts the balance of fair business competitiveness, and also serves as an instrument for the achievement of other criminal activities.
“Smuggling can lead to compromised personal safety because it exposes individuals to various risks that include; dealing with dangerous individuals, illegal substances, and working in unsafe conditions.”
“Seizures recorded in the 1st quarter of 2024 were due to violations of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines. while vigorously and relentlessly executing our anti-smuggling campaign, a total of 206 seizures were made worth the sum of duty paid value of N2,877,049,777 while 29 suspects were arrested.”
