Customs Intercept N3.24bn Smuggled Goods, Recover N728.98m Revenue

Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, have intercepted 133 consignments of prohibited goods valued at N3.24 billion and recovered N728.98 million in lost revenue.

The seizures were made through intelligence-led operations, enhanced risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks and targeted interventions against suspicious declarations, according to a statement issued on Monday by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi.

Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50 kilogrammes; 12 foreign-used vehicles; 686 cartons of foreign poultry products; 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil; 414 bales of used clothing; and 2,947 pieces of used tyres.

The Unit also seized 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, 964 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), amounting to 24,100 litres, as well as 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84 kilogrammes.

The Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, said the enforcement operations were aimed at protecting the domestic economy, supporting local industries and safeguarding national food security.

Aliyu said the interception of illicit drugs and controlled substances would help protect public health, while the seizure of elephant tusks demonstrated the Service’s commitment to tackling illegal wildlife trafficking.

He added that the N728.98 million revenue recovery reflected the Unit’s determination to identify and recover funds lost through under-declaration, false declarations and other forms of customs fraud.

The Comptroller urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to make accurate declarations and comply with existing customs laws and regulations.

“Collective compliance and vigilance remain essential to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety and national economic development,” Aliyu said.