Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, have intercepted over 1000 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country through the Benin Republic border.
The Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Hussein Ejibunu, stated this during a briefing on Thursday.
Ejibunu said the rice with label production from India came in through the Benin land border.
According to him, before further action, the consumables are tested by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He said it was in the process that it was confirmed that the rice contained lead which he said is poisonous to human health.
He said: “after seizing the smuggled rice, we called NAFDAC to conduct laboratory analysis it was gathered that the rice named SIMBA which consists of Led substances that is poisonous to the body was produced in India”.
Mister Ejibunu Further warned Nigerians to desist from buying any imported rice, saying “no smuggled items will escape through the borders in the southwest under my watch”.
The Comptroller-General of Customs Strike Force has busted a gang specialising in smuggling pangolin scales and elephant tusks out of the country.
The customs team led by Deputy Comptroller, Ahmadu Shuaibu reportedly recovered 839.4kg of pangolin scales and 145kg of elephant tusks valued at N3.16 billion in a Toyota Sienna bus in Lekki, Lagos.
Four Nigerians were arrested in connection with the seizures based on credible information.
According to the outgoing spokesman of the Service and newly-promoted Comptroller of Kebbi State command, Joseph Attah, the strike force team intercepted the Toyota Sienna bus loaded with 15 sacks of pangolin scales and four sacks of elephant tusks.
Attah said the service was collaborating with experts from the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Forestry, to conduct a DNA test on the pangolin scales to know the country where the animals were killed.
He noted that some foreigners with the active connivance of Nigerians were bent on using the country as transit route for illegal wildlife trade.
The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted cocaine valued at N3.9 billion hidden inside a Ford transit bus conveying religious books along the Seme- Badagry Expressway in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Friday by the spokesperson of the command, Hussaini Abdullahi.
In the statement, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Bello Mohammed Jibo, disclosed that the substance was intercepted on Sunday, January 23.
The cocaine, after test and verification by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), was found to be weighing 11.913kg.
“The street value of the item was estimated to be three billion, nine hundred and sixteen million, six hundred and twenty-four thousand, one hundred and forty-seven Naira (N3,916,624,147.00) only.
“While appreciating the cooperation of sister agencies and relevant stakeholders at Seme Border, the CAC reiterated the commitment of his officers and men to enforcing government fiscal policies for the overall national growth and development,” the statement read in part.
Jibo added that the customs also intercepted large quantities of petroleum products packaged in sacks on Wednesday.
“One thousand and sixty-five (1,065) jerrycans of petroleum products thirty (30) litres each, equivalent to thirty-one thousand, nine hundred and fifty (31,950) litres were discovered with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Ten million, forty one thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight Naira (N10,041,198.00) only,” the statement added
According to the area controller, the offensive crackdown on the activities of petroleum product smugglers is with a mission to get them arrested wherever they are.
He assured Nigerians that the command would continue to make life uncomfortable for the unpatriotic people trading illegal businesses in the area.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Command has said that it has intercepted some items suspected to be tramadol capsules concealed with packaged jumbo size adult diapers in a container.
The items which have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.4 billion, were concealed in a container with the number MRKU 9090415.
Hussain Abdulahi, Customs Public Relations Officer said the Area Controller, Bello Jibo revealed that the container was handed over to the Command on November 15 by the Republic of Benin Authorities under transit to Nigeria.
Customs intercepts tramadol valued at N1.4bn hidden in diapers
The container came under the watch of officers of the Command as no importer or his representative have come forward to continue the process of clearance procedure.
The statement read;
“On the Dec. 20, Seme Customs Service invited other security agencies and stakeholders to witness the examination of the said container.
“The items discovered during 100 per cent examination are 200 packages of adult diapers, 100 cartoons of Gabadol 120mg suspected to be tramadol equivalent to 360kg.
“The diapers were smartly arranged at the front of the container while the drugs were was the back.
“I directed that samples be taken out officially and handed over to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ascertain and confirm the drugs.”
Abdullahi also said the command has commenced a full-scale investigation to fish out those involved in the illicit importation.
Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service attached to Tin Can Island Command on Friday intercepted a 1x40ft container carrying arms.
It was learnt that the owner of the container had allegedly declared its content as plasma televisions.
It was also learnt that customs officers at the command late discovered it to contain cartons of guns.
A source told our correspondent that the consignment was sublet to a clearing agent by another, fueling suspicion that the agent must be aware of the content.
The Public Relations Officer of the Tin Can Customs, Mr Uche Ejesieme, confirmed the development, saying that the container of guns was discovered during a routine examination at terminal B2 (Vehicle) of the TICT.
“The officers intercepted a container loaded with weapons, but as we speak, what we have done as a command is that we have written to the terminal to evacuate the container immediately to enforcement unit for 100 per cent examination so that we can actually ascertain the quantity and other relevant information.
“So, as we speak, we expect the terminal to evacuate the container to the enforcement unit where we intend to strip it, and the quantity, names of people involved and other further information would be available,” he said.
He added that, in line with service protocol, the command would inform the Customs high command in Abuja after the container had been thoroughly examined at the enforcement unit of the command.
“This is why we have not issued an official statement regarding the seizure.
“As we speak, we do not have full details of who is behind the import, country of import and the model of guns.
“All these will be made known at the end of investigations,” he added.
The customs, however, vowed to trace the matter to its very roots and apprehend those in connection.
“Most times, the suspect you see is those freight forwarders and agents coming for examination, but we are more interested in getting to the importer and everyone involved in that criminal importation to nip it in the bud,” he assured.
The vehicle of Nigeria Customs Service chasing rice smugglers reportedly crushed seven persons to death in Jibiya LGA of Katsina State on Monday.
Reports gathered that the vehicle, which rammed into a group of people by the roadside, had several others injured who are currently being attended to in a local hospital in the area.
Angry mob in the area resorted to violent protest and eventually battered the customs’ official vehicle before the arrival of security agencies.
“They were chasing a J5 vehicle suspected to have smuggled rice. Their vehicle lost control and ran into a group of people standing by the roadside. Six persons died instantly and another one died on the way to the hospital. About 20 other persons were seriously injured.
“In retaliation, an angry mob from the area burnt the custom vehicle before police could arrive at the scene,” an eyewitness said.
The spokesman of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, Danbaba Isah, while confirming the incident, said investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident.
The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone C Owerri has intercepted 1,024 cartons of contraband drugs with duty paid value of N819 million.
According to the Area controller of customs FOU Zone C, Yusuf Lawal, the drugs which were Intercepted along Ofosu-Benin expressway were identified as Colcaps Medicament, illegally shipped into the country from India without NAFDAC certification.
While also displaying some other seized items like bags of foreign rice, vehicles and second-hand clothing, Controller Lawal said the men of the Nigeria Customs Service FOU Zone C are readily prepared to fight the menace of smuggling in the zone.
He advised smugglers to look for other means of livelihood and desist from economic sabotage.
The Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday January 26, announced that a slash on imported vehicles duties will begin next week.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali who told newsmen that they are expecting an official communication from the finance ministry on the matter, added that the vehicle tariff reduction is contained in the 2020 Finance Act and initiated by the NCS to ease the cost of transportation in Nigeria.
Hameed said;
“We are the proponents of the new tariff. I’ve been torn apart by many people criticising it, saying I used my connection to get it done. But it is in the overall interest of Nigeria.
“Now, it has become a law. We are now waiting for the finance minister to give us a formal conveyance of that Act. Once we receive it, we commence implementation immediately and inform our commands.
“We are hoping that latest by next week, it will become operational.”
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ Owerri, has intercepted 5,200 live ammunition, 1,215 bags of foreign rice, a bullet proof Toyota Landcruser SUV and other contraband goods worth N386 million.
The Controller, Mr Yusuf Lawal, who confirmed this on Thursday January 7, while addressing the media in Owerri, Imo State capital said the seizures were made between November 23 and December 27, 2020.
“Having intensified its anti-smuggling operations, the unit intercepted 5,200 live ammunitions (cartridges of 30GR 70mm Calibre ) and various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of Three Hundred and Seventy Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Five Naira only (N378,751,935.00) between November 23rd to December 27th 2020,” he stated.
He said that the DPV of the bullet proof Landcruser and other three vehicles seized during the period was N221 million.
“Similarly, the unit through its interventions recovered Seven Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty One Naira only (N7,557,731.00) from demand notices on general goods that tried to cut corners from seaports in the guise of false declaration, transfer of value, and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the coffers of Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative sum of Three Hundred and Eighty Six Million, Three Hundred and Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty Six Naira only (N386,309,666.00) within the month under review making it a landslide in recent times.”
Lawal expressed concerns over the trends in arms and ammunition smuggling in recent times making reference to the interception in Lagos in 2017, in kwara in 2018 and just recently in Kebi using different routes and now the interception of 5,200 live ammunition cartridges (30GR 70mm Calibre) in December 2020 concealed with other goods and household items in a passenger vehicle: Toyota Sienna with reg no: DKA 237 DW along Nwezenyi Ikom Road Cross River, based on credible and timely intelligence.
“Only God knows what would have happened if these cartridges get to its destination unchecked, considering the fragile security of the Nation: from Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, banditry to insurgency,” the Comptroller stated, adding that the seized ammunitions fall under schedule 4 of the Common External Tariff, which its importation is absolutely prohibited.
Other seized items include 1,215 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg each mostly concealed in bags of beans, maize and groundnut seeds all with the aim of deceiving our officers, 38 Jumbo bales of used clothing, and 204 cartons of imported tomatoes.
Others are four used exotic vehicles including one new bullet proof Toyota Landcruiser 2019 model (without end-user certificate), two Toyota Hilux 2016 and 2015 respectively, one Mercedes Benz ML350 2015, and other controlled pharmaceutical products at various locations. Three suspects were arrested in connection to these different seizures.
Comptroller Lawal attributed this achievement to the leadership style of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service for their efforts in recognizing hard work, dedication and commitment.
“Without the Management motivation and necessary logistics support, we won’t have attained this feat within this feat.”
The Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has declared one of its drivers missing after an attack during a routine mobile patrol along Olorunlere village, in Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state, after some vehicles allegedly conveying banned imported rice were intercepted.
In a press statement by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Hammed Bukoye Oloyede, the driver, Taiwo Odeyemi was missing and has not been found while investigations have been launched to ascertain his whereabouts.
“On Thursday, 3rd of December, 2020 at about 12:10 hours, a team of Officers and Men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Command while on routine mobile patrol along with Olorunlere village, near Alapoti, Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State intercepted some vehicles loaded with bags of foreign parboiled rice,” he said.
According to him, the suspected smugglers sensing their loss on sighting the patrol team attempted to evade arrest and eventually started shooting sporadically at the Officers which resulted in a serious exchange of fire between the two sides.
“Consequently, the patrol team called for reinforcement. However, before the intervention from other units, they were overwhelmed due to the numeric strength of the smugglers/hoodlums. In the ensuing commotion, the team tactically withdrew to enable the arrival of the reinforcements teams”
“On the arrival of the military personnel and other units of Customs including Federal Operations Unit (FOU) as requested by the CAC, the hoodlums had already vandalised one of the official vehicles attached to the team. It was later discovered that an official driver, CA I (T) Taiwo J Odeyemi was missing and has not been found as at the time of writing this report.”
The Public Relations Officer said the investigation is ongoing and effort is being made along with other security agencies and other critical stakeholders to locate the whereabouts of the missing officer and rescue him alive.
Meanwhile, the Customs Area Commander, Peter Kolo has strongly warned smugglers and their supporters that the incessant attacks leave Officers with no other choice than to use appropriate force to deal with this new wave of criminal attacks on personnel performing their statutory functions.
He said that the Command will not be deterred by this and will step up its offensive against those whose interests are to make profits at the expense of the Nation.
The Customs boss has also vowed to ensure that those behind this attack face the full wrath of the law and justice.
