The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said, it intercepted 1,500 pieces of bullet proof vests smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries, in a bid to tackle insecurity through illegal importation and smuggling of arms and ammunition into the country.
The FOU A interception came against the backdrop of the interception of Cache of arms and ammunition at the Tin Can Island and Murtala Muhammed Airport Commands of the service in June 2024.
Speaking to newsmen, the customs area controller (CAC), of the Unit, Kola Oladeji, said the vehicle conveying the contraband was intercepted along Ijebu-Ode/Sagamu expressway, Ogun State worth N1.68 billion.
According to him, other items seized within the month of June by the unit are 343,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); 7,150 bags of foreign parboiled rice at 50 kg each; 32 units of used motor vehicles were intercepted; 120 bags of sugar at 50 kg each and 3,560 cartons of poultry products worth N3.63 billion.
“In furtherance of the Federal Government’s resolve to achieve this commitment, our dedicated officers executed a series of operations that resulted in the interception and seizures of 1,500 pieces of bullet proof jackets; 989 kg of Indian Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and 5,229 cartons of expired drugs.
“These decisive and uncompromising actions took place at various times and locations within the South-Western States. You may recall that some security and medical experts reported that people who take illicit drugs can lead to mental health cases, and are most often motivated for the wrong reasons; where extreme motivations could lead to loss of conscience that aids the commission of crimes.
“The intake of expired drugs can have serious health consequences on the kidneys and the liver, inclusive of the development of allergies and lowering of immunity. Security is the bed-rock of Nigeria’s economy which underscores the federal government’s commitment to achieving self-sustaining growth that would enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
“We have always been working on credible intelligence and if it evades the eagle eye of the officers at the seaports, our officers roving around the hinterland will get them. We have intelligence on the cargoes moving.
“This seizure is unique because it’s a breach of security, they are an organised certificate. No End User Certificate (EUC), because you get EUC before you bring your cargo into the country and if you bring it after importation we will arrest you. You can bring in arms if you are licensed by the NSA to import arms,” Oladeji explained.
Oladeji stated further that, “worthy of note is the fact that under Schedule four (4) of the Customs Common External Tariff (CET), the importation of all kinds of military wares by individuals is under “absolute prohibition”. EUC is required for the importation of controlled items and products into Nigeria.”
The Customs boss, however, disclosed that four suspects were Intercepted in connection with the smuggling activities, saying it recovered N62.01 million from importers that under-declared their cargoes.
He stated that the cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV), of the intercepted goods amounts to N3.63 billion
“Four suspects were apprehended in connection with various offences, including violating import/export guidelines, concealment, wrong classification, smuggling, and contravening policy directives. The cumulative DPV of the intercepted goods amounts to N3.63 billion.
“Furthermore, the unit recovered the sum of N62 million in revenue for the month of June 20024 through meticulous documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have paid lesser amounts than the appropriate Customs duties.
“I implore all patriotic citizens to provide useful and timely information that would lead to the arrest of illegal importation of military wares, illicit drugs and counterfeiting goods. Importers and licensed agents are also urged to make sincere declarations, adhere to existing import and export guidelines, and avoid the risk of losing their goods,” he stated.
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