The Acting Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja Lagos, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, has restated the resolve of the unit to protect the Nigerian economy by enforcing the anti-smuggling laws in an uncompromising manner even as intelligence reports gathered over the years indicated the degree of desperation by economic saboteurs to smuggle during the yuletide periods.
Knowing that this is the season that rice and some other items are in high demand, and smugglers usually up their game, he vowed to make the remaining part of 2023 and beyond tough for smugglers.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Ejibunu declared emphatically that the unit is ready to intercept smugglers and frustrate their antics of concealment, illegal route passage, false declaration and under declaration.
He added that the unit is determined to implement all the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, including the various penalties attached to offences while striving to ensure that perpetrators face the full wrath of the laws.
To achieve this, the acting controller said he has fully deplored the improved logistics supplied by the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir A Adeniyi MFR; provided supports for his officers with strategic manpower placements to achieve the ongoing drive to suppress smuggling.
He noted that the reviewed strategies have been paying off as reflected in the seizures recently made by the unit in October.
He promised to sustain efforts towards deploying these strategies continuously.
The strategies explained the high number of seizures which amount to N1,241,777,700 in duty paid value intercepted within the month of October.
According to the acting controller, rice has been a recurring commodity in the list of seizures across various borders in the southwest zone as the unit was able to seize a total of 7,382 units of 50kg foreign parboiled rice from smugglers. This amounts to almost thirteen trailer loads of rice.
He disclosed that a total of seventeen vehicles were also seized from smugglers who wanted to circumvent the law by evading duty payment. For the avoidance of doubt, he restated the ban on vehicle importation through land borders.
He also hinted that the unit intercepted 533 jerry cans (14,825 litres) of premium motor spirit which because of its volatility had been safely disposed in line with laid down due process.
Other seizures recorded include 657 pieces of used tyres, 167 (202kg) parcels of Indian hemp, 39 bales of second hand-clothing, 100 packs of tomato ketchup, 4 units of used motorcycle, 600 cartons of GIV soap and 730 sacks of hide and skin hidden in a 1×40 container equivalent to 5,033 pieces.
Ejibunu further said that in the unit’s continuous quest to prevent revenue loss through various infractions such a under-valuation, under-payments, and wrong classification, the sum of N115,456,534.94 was collected following the issuance of demand notices to defaulters.
He appealed to all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians to continue to support the unit with credible information that will assist in battling economic sabotage.
The acting controller also urged the press to always support the unit by using their media channels to discourage smuggling and any act that contravenes the customs law.