Customs arrests four, intercepts smuggled police uniforms, other prohibited items

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone B Command, Kaduna, said it arrested four suspects in connection with police camouflage uniforms and 70 other seizures of 12 different smuggled items at various locations in the zone from November to December, 2023 worth N406.9 million.

The FOU Zone B comprises 10 states in the Northwest and North Central geopolitical zones with Kaduna as its administrative headquarters, while the unit’s anti-smuggling activities stretch across Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kogi, Kwara and Niger states.

Briefing newsmen, yesterday, at the headquarters in Kaduna, the Controller of the unit, Dalha Wada Chedi, said the suspects were arrested on December 15, along with a container truck-based on credible intelligence along the Lokoja-Abuja Expressway suspected to be conveying prohibited items.

He said after a 100 per cent physical examination, 37 bales and four rolls of Nigeria Police camouflage uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck.

Chide said seized uniforms, the suspects and the means of conveyance were all handed over to the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Kaduna State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs.

Other seizures made during the period included 240 bales of  foreign second hand  clothing, 10 jerry-cans of foreign  refined vegetable  oil,, 415 cartons of foreign spaghetti, macaroni and couscous, 349 cartons of  foreign new shoes, 500mg of 3,400 sachets of  foreign amoxicillin  and 35  cartons of foreign flame lighters.

Chedi added that the unit also seized 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice, which would have made their ways into the markets and consumed by the people, despite the hazards such imported grains posed to health.

He said the vigilance of the operatives of the unit during the period, likewise led to the interception and seizure of 877 jerry-cans (25 litres each) of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).

The controller said in line with the extant laws and guidelines as directed by the Customs Headquarters, the seized PMS have been auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government.

He stated further that the unit seized hard drugs and other assorted goods worth about N4 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) at various intervals from  January 1 to December 31, 2023.

This, the controller said, represents a 100 per cent increase in seizures made above total DPV of N2.3 billion that was seized in the year 2022 and also an indication that the operatives of the unit have up-the-ante in the fight against smuggling in the zone.

Chide further noted that due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the zone’s operatives, eight used vehicles and two means of conveyance were impounded during the period.

He added that the extent of seizures the zone was able to make during the period is a fulfillment of its pledge to ensure full compliance with the Federal Government’s directives on closure of all land borders with Niger republic.

He also reiterated his commitment at enforcing the Federal Government fiscal policies in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as the unit’s operatives are battle-ready to carry out their mandate effectively.

“ I also need to assure the citizenry through you, members of the Media, that the operatives of the unit in this new year are poised like never before, to foil all attempts by smugglers at importing any prohibited goods into its area of jurisdiction as well as recover all underpaid duties into the government’s coffers,” he added.