IN continuation of the anti-smuggling drive and protection of revenue loss, officers and men of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A have intercepted 450 drums of carbide, 47,750 litres of premium motor spirit, 68 pieces of military camouflage and others worth Five Hundred and Seventeen Million, Nine Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Naira ₦517,918,790.
Briefing newsmen on the activities of the unit in January, the Acting Comptroller of the Unit, DC Hussein Ejibunu, also gave a breakdown of other prominent seizures as 5,481 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to over 9 trailer loads), 11 units of used motorcycles, 13 units of used vehicles, 2,135 wraps, (1,163 kg) of cannabis sativa and 314 pieces of used tyres.
The Acting Comptroller said the goods were intercepted along the border corridors of the South-West for contravening different Customs laws.
While handing over 2,135 wraps, (1,163 kg) of Indian Hemp to the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ejibunu said, Eleven (11) suspects were arrested in connection with some of the wares.
He noted that the sum of Eighty-Six Million, One Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-Eight Naira, Fifty Kobo (₦86,117,398.50) was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN).
According to him, “Seizures recorded in January 2023 are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of Customs statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited and harmful goods.
“This Unit had re-strategized its operations and injected new schemes to tackle the economic menace caused by recalcitrant importers and agents”. He added.
He advised recalcitrant traders to desist from criminal acts or risk facing the wrath of the law.
“We are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear, the recalcitrant ones are advised to desist because we are better mobilized with high morale to arrest, prosecute, and make them lose their wares in forfeiture to the federal government”, he said.
“Considering the spate of insecurity across the country, and the upcoming general elections; it can be postulated that the importation of cannabis sativa and military camouflage could be used to fuel crimes and electoral violence by unpatriotic elements. While the former is under prohibition, the latter is under the control and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which requires End-User Certificates”, he noted.
“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to key into the prevailing security concerns by providing useful, and timely information that would expose and lead to the arrest of the enemies of the state”, he concluded.