Smuggling:FOU Zone ‘A’ Seizes Eight Trailer Loads of Smuggled Parboiled Rice ,Others

Smuggling:FOU Zone ‘A’ Seizes Eight Trailer Loads of Smuggled Parboiled Rice ,Others
….Commends  officers and  men of the command

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Acting Comptroller General of Customs ,Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,MFR,on Friday,6 October,2023 briefed newsmen on the recent crackdown on smugglers by men of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service.

  Adeniyi , disclosed that  a significant operation conducted by dedicated officers. resulted in the commendable interception and seizure of  eight trailer loads of foreign parboiled rice.

Adeniyi emphasized the pivotal role of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy and the government’s dedication to achieving self-sustaining growth and improving the quality of life for all citizens.The operation, executed with precision, led to the interception and seizure of 7,029 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.
These decisive actions occurred at various times and locations within the border corridors of the South-Western states. The objectives were twofold: to deter potential traders from engaging in smuggling activities and to impose financial losses on active smugglers.Aside from the substantial parboiled rice seizures, the operations conducted in September yielded impressive results.

These included ,”The interception of:35,100 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS)1,100 liters of diesel1 40-foot container carrying 360 bales of used clothes1 40-foot container containing 150 cartons of ladies’ handbags, 50 bales of nickers, and other falsely declared items1 20-foot container of unprocessed wood106 cartons of foreign frozen poultry55 pieces of used fridges110 pieces of used compressors148 cartons of foreign soap121 cartons of expired hair oil25 units of vehicles (Tokunbo)” he said. Investigations into some of these seizures are ongoing, and law enforcement agencies have apprehended fourteen suspects for various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, undervaluation, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.
The CGC further added that,” The cumulative duty paid value of the seized goods amounted to an impressive One Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-five Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-eight Naira (1,755,080,898). Moreover, the Unit generated Seventy-two Million, Eight Hundred and Seven Thousand, Twenty-five Naira, Eleven Kobo (N72,807,025.11) in revenue through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on consignments that had paid lesser amounts than the appropriate customs duty”
Importers and licensed agents were urged to make honest declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their investments.
Compliance, it was emphasized, is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic choice that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of goods across Nigeria’s borders.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi extended his gratitude for the media’s attention and its crucial role in disseminating this vital information. He underscored the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and contributing to the welfare of its citizens.

See diesel1 40-foot container carrying 360 bales of used clothes1 40-foot container containing 150 cartons of ladies’ handbags, 50 bales of nickers, and other falsely declared items1 20-foot container of unprocessed wood106 cartons of foreign frozen poultry55 pieces of used fridges110 pieces of used compressors148 cartons of foreign soap121 cartons of expired hair oil25 units of vehicles (Tokunbo)” he said. Investigations into some of these seizures are ongoing, and law enforcement agencies have apprehended fourteen suspects for various offenses, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, undervaluation, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives.

The CGC further added that,” The cumulative duty paid value of the seized goods amounted to an impressive One Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-five Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety-eight Naira (1,755,080,898). Moreover, the Unit generated Seventy-two Million, Eight Hundred and Seven Thousand, Twenty-five Naira, Eleven Kobo (N72,807,025.11) in revenue through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on consignments that had paid lesser amounts than the appropriate customs duty”
Importers and licensed agents were urged to make honest declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their investments.
Compliance, it was emphasized, is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic choice that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of goods across Nigeria’s borders.
Comptroller-General Adeniyi extended his gratitude for the media’s attention and its crucial role in disseminating this vital information. He underscored the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy and contributing to the welfare of its citizens.