Customs on red alert against smugglers at Yuletide

The Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, Compt. Yusuf Lawal, has expressed readiness to combat smugglers of used vehicles and foreign rice during the festive season.

He expressed readiness to fight smugglers when he took over from Kayode Olusemire as the CAC of the South East/ South South region. He however advised importers and clearing agents operating in the region to embrace legitimate trade and shun smuggling of rice, vehicles and other banned products into the country.

Lawal, who took over from Kayode Olusemire, thanked his predecessor for his anti-smuggling feats during the period, even as he urged operatives of his unit to keep up their anti-smuggling operations and prevent loss of government revenue from under-payment, under-declaration and false declaration to evade duty payment.

He warned that the Yuletide period and beyond would be tough for smugglers in the combined eleven states of South-South and South-East region of the country. He said the unit would continue to be tough against smugglers to get them arrested and seize their wares.

Lawal also advised members of the business community in the five South-East states and six South-South states that are involved in import and export to be compliant in their dealings.

He added that compliance has become a tool for productivity and a way of building a reputation of integrity in business.

The new Controller also sought the support of sister security agencies while looking forward to consolidate on the existing synergy between FOU Zone C and other services

Comptroller Olusemire, the outgoing controller has been posted to customs headquarters in a recent deployment of comptrollers approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs.