Customs Strike force Team “B” seizes goods worth N148.5m

The Nigeria Customs Service Strike Force, Team B, on Friday said it seized smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N148,530,400 between April 1 and April 30, 2022.

The Coordinator of the Force, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr Faith Ojeifo, who displayed the items to journalists in Kaduna, said that the items were seized from smugglers within the North Eastern and North Western parts of the country.

He listed the items to include 2,090 (50kg) bags of fertilizers with a Duty Paid Value of N31,563,000.00.

“The seizure is particularly significant when we consider the implications of these goods landing in the wrong hands.

“In Nigeria, the importation of fertilizers is highly regulated. Without an End-User Certificate, it cannot be allowed to enter the market,’’ Ojeifo said.

He said that 643 bags of foreign parboiled rice, valued at N16,718,000.00 was also seized, adding that 211 bales of used clothing materials estimated at N37,024,000.00 were equally seized.

According to him, other items seized are 428 cartons of imported spaghetti, 2,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit {PMS) and one used vehicle, all the 3 items have a DPV of N3,911,400.00.

“It brings the total DPV of all seized items to N90,570,400.00. Within the period, the unit recovered duties amounting to N32,338,051.00 from demand notice issued to defaulting importers,’’ he added.

Ojeifor further stated that the service also impounded seven units of vehicles with a DPV of N57,960,000.00 on suspicion of import irregularities.

He noted that the items are still under investigation to unearth the facts around their importation.

He reiterates that as part of the service commitment to duty, they have been collaborating with other security agencies within the region with a view to sharing intelligence.

“Even in a hostile security environment, we have managed to create a system that is withstanding the onslaught of smugglers,” he said.

He encouraged traders to avail themselves of the assets of the Service, to carry out their legitimate businesses. (NAN)