Customs FOU impounds 674 vehicles, 105,810 bags of rice in 2014

BETWEEN January and December 2014, the Federal Operations Units (FOU) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), zone ‘A’ Ikeja, impounded 674 used vehicles and 105,810 bags of rice.

Giving a breakdown of its 2014 performance on Monday, the unit disclosed that out of the 674 impounded used vehicles, 95 were ‘scraps’ valued at N346.2 million with a payable duty of N105.2million.

Also within the period, the unit seized 105,810 bags of rice, comprising of a total of 104,941 bags of 50kg and 869 25kg worth N526.9 million. 

A statement issued by the acting head of the unit, Usman Turaki explained that within the period, the unit recorded 2,914 different seizures of various prohibited goods valued at N1.4 billion, with payable duty of N618.8billion.

Explaining further, the statement said from July 15th 2014, when Turaki assumed office, the units recorded improved operations.

“This is so because of some landmark seizures which was like a turning point for the Unit. This situation created a paradigm shift which resulted into remarkable achievements that showcased the capacity and competence of the Controller to achieve results”, the statement said

It added: “Generally speaking, the spectacular seizures of rice at Igbesa creeks in Ogun State and Oyo axis respectively will continue to remain topical in any anti-smuggling discourse in view of the fact that operatives of the FOU ‘A’ exhibited a rare sense of professionalism and bravery in all of those operations”.

 The Controller thanked the Customs management under the Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde for the support and encouragement, which according to him gave the unit the necessary impetus to achieve result. 

He also commended officers/men for their resilience during the year under review. 

Turaki promised to decimate the activities of smugglers in the South West, adding that part of his strategy would be intensive patrol activities aimed at identifying some of the flashpoints through active collaboration with patriotic Nigerians and genuine informants. 

He advised all those who engage in smuggling to look for genuine means of livelihood and desist from engaging in illegalities for the sake of the nation’s Economy. 

 As part of his maiden address, Turaki charged all officers/men to gear up for the challenges ahead, pointing out that deliberate and concerted efforts must be made to surpass the achievements of the previous year. 

He reiterated the zero tolerance stance of the Comptroller-General of Customs to the importation of frozen poultry products and Rice through the border areas amongst others. 

He charged officers to put necessary operational modalities in place for the justification of the confidence reposed on the unit as a frontline command.