The Federal Operation Unit Zone `A’ Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday said it intercepted over N1 billion contraband in 2013.
Nuhu Mahmoud, the Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A`, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said this to newsmen in Lagos.
He said that the figure was about 50 per cent higher than in 2012 in terms of duty paid value.
“Goods worth over N1 billion was seized in the year 2013 by this unit. Generally speaking, we made 3,553 seizures of assorted prohibited goods valued at N1,294,211 with a payable duty of N227,073,983 and a duty paid value of N1,521,285 between January and December 2013.
“This figure represents a significant improvement from the report of the preceding year 2012. Comparatively speaking it accounts for about 50 per cent in terms of duty paid value and other variables.
The controller said that “It is important to say that consequent upon the ban on rice importation through the land borders, the command beamed its searchlight on some volatile areas.
“Particularly the waterways, which have been identified as flashpoints with a view to blocking all loopholes and supply chains.
“The same strategy was also adopted in the case of foreign frozen poultry products and all of these strategies provided the unit the necessary impetus to raise the standard of our anti-smuggling over the period.’’
“Additionally, the zone recorded some land marks which include: 65,563 bags of parboiled rice valued at N327,815,000 with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N360,596,500.
“A total of 399 seizures of foreign poultry products with DPV of N270,591,600; seizures of general merchandise with DPV of N383,96,033.
“The zone also intercepted 24 seizures of used tyres with DPV of N29,761,825 and 408 seizures of vegetable oil with the DPV of N66,207,500.
“The unit apprehended a total of 217 suspects in connection with the seizures during the period under reference. A good number of them are still being investigated by the legal unit while others have been prosecuted in line with legal requirements.
“This unit has re-strategised in its operation modalities to ensure remarkable result for 2014 in order to justify the confidence which the customs management reposed in us.
“We have, therefore, put all necessary measures in place for effective synergy with the critical stakeholders including the host communities where we operate and other relevant security agencies for the actualisation of our operational goals and objectives.”
The customs Area Comptroller appreciated the CGC and the management for motivating and re-training the officers which had enhanced the performance of the officers.
Mahmoud, however, urged media collaboration to sensitise and educate the public to the danger of consuming smuggling products.