Smuggling at border:
Seme Customs Controller talks tough
*Seizes N249.9 million items
*Cannabiz sativa, petrol, rice on list of seizures
By Silas Onuoha:
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, DC Chedi Dalha Wada, is talking tough on illegal activities of illict traders at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic, as his men made 431 seizures, with Duty Paid Value (DPV), of more than N249.9million.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Command, Mr. Hussaini Abdullahi, disclosed this to reporters.
He stressed that the CAC and his men are giving smugglers a hard time, as items seized from 3rd January to 17th April 2020, include
2,325 bags of rice (50kg each), equivalent to four trailer load of rice
74,585litres of Premium Motor Sprit, commonly known as petrol;
887 cartons of frozen poultry products;
43 Units of Vehicles (both used and means of conveyance);
165 jerrycans of vegetable oil (25litres each) and
399 textile materials (6yards each).
Others are
112 sacks of used clothes,
82 sacks of used shoes; belts; ladies hand bags; as well as
45 parcels of cannabis sativa ( Indian hemp), among other items.
The PRO said, “The Command has recorded tremendous achievements following the strategies designed and implemented by the CAC since his assumption of office.”
He pointed out, “The seizures made for the period under review is in continuation of the fight against activities of dare-devil smugglers and intensified efforts of our anti-smuggling Unit under the leadership of our Area Controller.
“The renewed synergy between different components of anti-smuggling units will also form a formidable force to counter activities of smugglers in all the nooks and crannies of Seme Command.
“However, the issue of coronavirus pandemic cannot be over emphasised. Several measures have been put in place to sensitise the officers, which include area synergy with Port Health Services, headquarters medical team, as well as supply of protective items to the Command, regular washing of hands, usage of face masks and strict adherence to maintenance of social distancing rules.
“The Command will continue to ensure sustainable campaigns and strict enforcement of Federal Government fiscal policies, with a view to protecting the nation’s economy.”
