Customs Zone ‘D’ Seizes Smuggled Goods Worth Over N110m In 1 Month

The Zone ‘D’ Headquarters of Nigeria Customs Service, has seizures of smuggled and prohibited items valued at over N110 million within only one month.

The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘D’ Headquarters Bauchi, Mr. Abubakar Umar, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, he said the unit made significant seizures shortly after he assumed duty as the new comptroller.

According to Umar, intercepted items include 448 jerrycans (11,200 litres) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 192 bales and 2 sacks of second-hand clothing, 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 125 pairs of desert and jungle boots, 47 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 9.40kg of pangolin scales.

He revealed that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items amounts to N110,499,352.

Comptroller Umar emphasised the unit’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration, stating that the pangolin scales will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action, following customs procedures.

He added that the seized PMS will be auctioned to the public, with proceeds paid into the Federation Account.

Highlighting recent progress, Umar noted a decline in smuggling activities in areas such as wildlife trafficking, controlled substances, and fuel diversion, crediting this to intensified patrols, intelligence-led enforcement, and the professionalism of his officers.

“Our operations are fully compliant with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, particularly Sections 226 and 245,” he said.

Umar stressed that the unit’s anti-smuggling efforts have been bolstered by close cooperation with other security and regulatory agencies, allowing for intelligence sharing and joint operations to dismantle smuggling networks.

He urged traders within the zone to conduct their businesses legally, warning that there will be no hiding place for smugglers.

Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D’ covers nine states, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa.