The Apapa Command and the Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone A, of Nigeria Customs Service, both in Lagos, have given accounts of their stewardship in the month of January 2022. While the Apapa Customs Command collected a total of N95.3 billion, the FOU seized contraband worth N4,590,312,335(duty paid value) and recovered N192,010,155.73 as revenue.
The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta, in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Abubakar Usman, said the command, relying on credible intelligence, Intercepted 9 containers of unprocessed and semi processed wood at the point of loading into a vessel.
Malanta, who noted that the command also seized a container of unregistered pharmaceutical (codeine syrup and col caps) with duty paid value of N78,797,975.00, said the seized woods worth N70,559,775.00.
The Comptroller noted that these were seizures of timber and rock balsam, under HS Code 44011000 to 44039000, and they contravene Sections 63 and 64 of the Export Trade (improper exportation of items).
According to him, another container number TCKU 6800526 which was laden with 702 cartons of codeine syrup (each carton contains 200 pieces) and 347 cartons of Col caps (each carton contains 2,000 pieces) was also seized by the command, with a street value of ₦78,787,975.00
He said the command was yet to make any arrest but noted that investigations were ongoing by the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA to detect, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of the illegal importation
Malanta said the collaboration with NDLEA has helped in gathering intelligence, leading to seizures of prohibited items as the command acts swiftly on reliable information without waiting for importers to come forward before effecting examination on suspected cargoes.
At the FOU, Deputy Comptroller Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, the Acting Controller, in a statement by the Unit Public Relations Officer DSC Theophilus Duniya, said the seized items included the following 9,697 bags of 50kg each, 3,173 cartons of basmati rice at 5kg each and 297 bags (25kg) Foreign Parboiled Rice, 1,076 kegs at 25litres of PMS, 195 bales of used clothes,, 51 parcels (39.5KG) Indian hemp, 68 sacks of used clothes,2,535 pieces used tyres and 17 units of used vehicles.
Others were 206 used compressor, 7,557,400 tablets of 225mg Tramadol, 7 units used motorcycles, 21 bales of new bed sheet and 57 units used plasma TV.
The Controller disclosed that a total of 23 suspected smugglers were arrested out of which 5 were given administrative bail while 18 in the unit’s custody.
Ejibunu noted that four customs officers serving in the unit lost their lives in the course of anti smuggling activities last year.
He said the unit’s anti smuggling and revenue recovery activities will increase this year due to the support and logistics upgrade it received from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Management and Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali.
DC Ejibunu who condemned the murderous acts of killing customs officers by smugglers and their sympathizers also said the long arms of the law will not spare perpetrators of such killings and that the unit will not be deterred in the performance of its duties to Nigeria .
He said “While many travelled to enjoy the yuletide season, our operatives were out there in the field to prevent illicit items from being smuggled into the country. From 23rd December, 2021 till date, a lot more have been seized thereby setting the stage for today’s Press Briefing.
“Despite the ups and downs, the Unit waxed on positively in the fight against smuggling as witnessed by you all. It is only regrettable that we lost 4 gallant officers in the line of duty that same year.
“If there is anything the Unit will not condone, it is to lose any of our officers to smugglers this year. New approach and tactics strictly to our chest will be deployed this time around. Smugglers are by this warned to stay away from smuggling.
“Our zeal to perform even better this year is predicated on the untiring support we get from the CGC – Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) – and his Management by way of welfare, capacity building, insurance scheme and provision of logistics.
“We are equally well equipped with relevant Sections of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004 as amended to perform our legitimate duties without fear or favour.
“Some of such provisions are; Section 158 which gives us power to patrol freely; Section 11 – power to arrest and prosecute anyone seen to obstruct officers from performing their duties; Section 46 – Power to seize; Section 147 – Power to enter any premises without search warrant and many more.”
The Controller called on members of the public to always support the Customs with credible intelligence that would lead to arrest of smugglers and prevention of prohibited goods from entering the country.
