Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a recent press release, the Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, disclosed the interception of three trucks en route to the Republic of Benin. Loaded with 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions, and 18 bags of dry pepper, the trucks were stopped at the Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun state.
Contrary to conventional practice, Controller Hussein Ejibunu revealed that instead of seizing the goods, the customs unit redirected the trucks to Nigerian markets, facilitating the sale of the items to local consumers.
Expressing concern over a new smuggling tactic, Ejibunu highlighted the discovery of foreign parboiled rice concealed in petroleum jerry cans along the Ajilete route. He emphasized the illegality of this practice and its potential threat to consumers, as contaminated grains may mix with poisonous properties from petroleum products.
Providing insights into the unit’s activities for February 2024, Ejibunu reported a total of 93 seizures and the arrest of nine suspects for various offenses.
“The seized items, with a duty paid value of N751.1 million, included 3,779 units of 50kg bags of suspected foreign rice, equivalent to over seven trailer loads valued at over N365 million.
”In a proactive stance against duty evasion, the customs unit thwarted the smuggling of eleven exotic used vehicles worth over N200 million. Ejibunu announced the recovery of N78.1 million in revenue through demand notices on Customs duties that were found to be underpaid.
“Other items seized in February were one locally made gun and six empty cartridges on Abeokuta road, 731 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 482kg, a 40ft container containing 286 cartons of new rubber slippers, seven units of used motorcycles, 28,000 liters of premium motor spirit (PMS), and 2,420 pieces of used tires,” stated Ejibunu.
The Customs Controller affirmed the commitment of the FOU Zone A to curbing smuggling activities, safeguarding public health, and upholding the integrity of customs duties.