FOU zone ‘A’ records N1.3bn seizures in few weeks
.Arrests 12 suspects for smuggling
By Silas Onuoha
The CAC with other officers during the press briefing at the Unit:
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has made another remarkable performance, as the Unit intercepted N1.3billon prohibited items from May 16, to June 12, 2018.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Unit, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, made this disclosure to press men, explaining that the unit through its interventions recovered N59.5million from underpayments, making a cumulative of N1.4billion within the period under review.
Comptroller Uba further revealed that FOU Zone ‘A’ arrested 12 suspected smugglers in connection with the seized items.
The CAC and other officers at the workshop during the press conference:
His assertion: “The detained and seized items include 15 exotic vehicles such as 3 Toyota C-HR (2018 models), 1 Toyota Camry LE (2018), 1 Toyota Prado (2018), 1 Toyota Hilux (2017) , 1 Ford F150 (2017), 1 Pajero Jeep (2017) , 1 Mercedes Benz (2017), among others. Other spectacular seizures include 9,049 bags of foreign rice (15 trailers), 1,464 cartons of frozen poultry products, 870 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 273 bales of used clothings, 592 pieces of used tyres, among others”.
The CAC responding to questions from the media:
“To ensure full implementation of the Government policy banning importation of rice through land borders, and following headquarters directive on same, we re-strategised our operational modalities and beamed our searchlight at the Creek, Waterways, and at various locations in southwest Zone, hence the reason for the massive rice seizure within the period under review.”
The CAC taking news men round the workshop to see the seizures”
“We will continue to make sure smugglers within our areas of jurisdiction count their losses until they repent from sabotaging our economy. As you already know, smuggling is a global phenomenon that cannot be eradicated entirely, but if all hands are on deck it will reduce to its barest minimum”.
“Let me commend our officers who put their lives on the line making these seizures, most especially the 15 trailers load of rice, knowing that it is a big battle at the creeks. Their resilience as well as doggedness is highly commendable. This feat couldn’t have been possible without the logistics support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Hameed Ali, the entire management of the Service, as well as the media in sensitising the public, on the evil of smuggling to the nation’s economy”.
“Let me also use this opportunity to wish our Muslim faithful happy Sallah celebration in advance.”
