The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, mentioned it intercepted eight trailer a great deal of foreign parboiled rice and others worth N1.76 billion in September.
The performing Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, mentioned this at a information convention on Friday in Lagos.
Mr Adeniyi mentioned the seizures befell at numerous instances and places throughout the border corridors of the South-West states.
He added that the unit generated N72.8 million in income by means of meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on people who paid lesser quantities than the suitable customs obligation.
According to him, agriculture, being the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic system, underscores the Federal Government’s dedication to attaining self-sustaining progress and enhancing the standard of life for all Nigerians.
“In alignment with this commitment and the spirit of patriotism, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations resulting in the interception and seizure of 7,029 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice.
“The objective of this action is twofold; to discourage potential traders from engaging in smuggling activities and to inflict financial losses on active smugglers,” he mentioned.
Mr Adeniyi famous that past the parboiled rice seizures, the operations of the unit yielded important outcomes in September with the interception of assorted items.
He mentioned the products embody 35,100 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 1,100 liters of diesel and 40-foot container carrying 360 bales of used garments.
Others had been one 40-foot container containing 150 cartons of women’ purses, 50 bales of nickers, and different falsely declared objects, one 20-foot container of unprocessed wooden.
“Also included are 106 cartons of foreign frozen poultry, 55 pieces of used fridges, 110 pieces of used compressors, 148 cartons of foreign soap, 121 cartons of expired hair oil and 25 units of vehicles (Tokunbo),” he mentioned.
According to him, investigations into a few of these seizures are ongoing.
He added that 14 suspects had been apprehended in reference to numerous offences.
He mentioned the offences embody violating import/export tips, concealment, undervaluation, fallacious classification, smuggling, and contravening coverage directives.
Mr Adeniji, nevertheless, urged importers and licensed brokers to make honest declarations, adhere to current import and export tips, and keep away from the danger of dropping their investments.
“Compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a strategic choice that ensures the smooth and efficient flow of goods across our borders,” he mentioned.
NAN
