CUSTOMS FOU ‘ A’ INTERCEPTS SMUGGLED GOODS WORTH N3.24B, GENERATES N729M REVENUE

Customs FOU ‘A’ Intercepts Smuggled Goods Worth N3.24bn, Generates N729m Revenue

By Babatunde Aremu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja-Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3,237,132,640.00, while recovering N728,976,725.03 in revenue.

The seizures and revenue recovery were achieved through intelligence-led operations, enhanced risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted enforcement actions against suspicious and fraudulent declarations.

The development underscores the Unit’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic frontiers, safeguarding government revenue, supporting local industries and ensuring that the nation’s trade corridors remain free of prohibited and illicit goods.

Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis (Sativa) weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg; and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.

Other seizures include 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), equivalent to 24,100 litres, 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four 5-litre units each, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 pieces of used tyres, among other prohibited and smuggled goods.

Commenting on the development, the Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the revenue recovery as encouraging, stressing that the Unit would continue to identify and recover government revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud.

He urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations.

According to him, the Unit remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses involved in smuggling, revenue evasion and other forms of economic sabotage.

Comptroller Aliyu noted that the interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing and other prohibited items would contribute to protecting domestic industries, strengthening national food security and safeguarding legitimate government revenue.

He further stated that the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products and other controlled substances would help protect public health and prevent the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians.

The recovery of elephant tusks, he added, also reinforces the Service’s contribution to national and international efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.

The Comptroller emphasised that the Unit’s enforcement activities were being conducted within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation.

He attributed the successes recorded to enhanced intelligence gathering, effective risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, as well as the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public.

He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud and other forms of economic sabotage.

The NCS, through FOU ‘A’, reiterated its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods.

The Unit also appreciated the continued support of sister agen