The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, on Tuesday, said it intercepted 373,440 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol on the verge of being smuggled out of the country to neighbouring Benin Republic.
The Command also intercepted 6,467 bags of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
Speaking to newsmen at a press conference on the activities of the Command from January to May 26th, 2024, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Timi Bomodi said the contraband seized was valued at N840million.
According to him, other contraband seized include used vehicles, parcels of cannabis sativa, wild animal, packages of cannabis, general merchandise and 45 pieces of used tyres.
He said, “Our enforcement unit sustained its anti-smuggling momentum in all nooks and crannies of the Command. This onslaught translated into 474 interception of various contraband items within the period under review. These items includes, 12,448 Jerrycans x 30 liters of PMS equivalent to 373,440 litres and 8 tanker loads.”
Other items intercepted include: “6,467 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice rice equivalent to 10 trailer load and 15 used vehicles; 1, 251parcels of cannabis sativa; 20 live parrots; 2 honey badgers; 2 Pelican birds; 404 live tortoises; 3,023 items under general merchandise; 149 packages of codeine and 45 pieces of used tyres. All with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) N840million.
“We noted that there has been a marked increase in the illegal importation of Cannabis from Ghana and different methods have been used by criminals in their effort to beat our officers all of which has been neutralised.”
Bomodi, a former National Public Relations Officer of the Service, said the Command’s revenue for the period under review rose by 272% compared to 2023 revenue generation.
The Customs boss stated that the command facilitated export worth 143, 468 metric tonnes at the command.
“The Command has continued to sustain the tempo in the area of revenue generation. In the period under review, we collected a total sum of N 2.63billion. This amount surpasses that of 2023 for the same period by 272%.
“On export, the command facilitated 143, 468 metric tonnes of export produce, with FOB value of N35.19billion which is equivalent to $38.46million. The NESS value paid is N174.51million. A total of 406 Single Digit Declarations (SGDs) were utilized from January to May 26 2024 for export alone,” Bomodi said.
He also stated that a total of 18 suspects were arrested in the months under review, even as he said a notorious smugglers was also arrested.
“A total of 18 suspects were arrested in connection with these seizures, 11 of them were granted administrative bails, three were handed over to NDLEA for further agency action. One was handed over to the Nigeria Police, while 4 suspects are still in our custody. Also recently, notorious smuggler whose reign of terror in this area has come to an end was arrested and will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The Command has also set-up a complaint desk to address issues concerning the molestation of females on this corridor. We strongly frown at any act endangering the health and well-being of the vulnerable population of border stakeholders who go about their normal and legitimate businesses daily. Stringent action shall be taken against any officer of any agency found guilty of molestation of any females on this corridor,” he stated.
