The Nigeria Customs monitoring team, Idiroko Axis, has intercepted a large quantity of prohibited goods, most of which are used vehicles tyres, along the Lagos/Shagamu expressway.
The seizure included a total of 626 units used tyres with a duty paid value (DPV) of about N4.9 million.
The comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Turaki Usman Adamu, who disclosed this during a media chat yesterday, said the feat became possible following the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to confront the nefarious activities of smugglers.
He disclosed that the monitoring team headed by an assistant comptroller, Yahaya Usman Biri, while acting on a tip-off, intercepted a diesel truck with registration No. AGB 106 ZD along the Lagos/Shagamu expressway.
In line with the practice of ensuring 100 per cent physical examination on such suspected vehicles, the truck was taken to the headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Ikeja where examination was conducted and the prohibited items were uncovered.
The items seized include pieces of used tyres, 152 cartons of ceramic tiles, 11 pieces of plastic bowls, 266 pieces of flower pots, and 86 bundles of plastic containers among other items.
“From the physical examination, it became evident that all those other items were used to carefully conceal 626 fairly used tyres,” the comptroller said.
He further stated that the goods were in clear contravention of sections 46 and 47 of the Customs and Excise Management act Cap C45 LFN 2004 as amended.
“Currently, investigation is ongoing to unravel those behind the illegal importation with a view to ensuring that all their illicit supply chains are blocked,” he said.
He commended the teams at Idiroko and Seme Axis, respectively, for their consistent operational exploits and determination to collaborate with the unit in fighting smuggling.
Answering questions on the recent incessant attacks on customs operatives by hoodlums and street urchins in some of the volatile areas, the comptroller assured that the concept of the Customs Community Cooperation (CCC) would be resuscitated and given top priority attention in view of its tendency to create a platform for sensitisation and education of the various public on the consequences of obstructing customs operations. He confirmed that a synergy with critical stakeholders was panacea for mutual understanding and healthy relationship between the NCS and community dwellers who sometimes tend to be ignorant of the socio-economic consequences of smuggling. He promised to leave no stone unturned in his quest to completely eradicate smuggling in his area of coverage.
He called for the support of all Nigerians through genuine information/intelligence sharing for the actualisation of this statutory mandate.
By Samson Echenim - Leadership Newspaper
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