Customs FOU Zone’A’ makes impressive performance
* Intercepts 117 vehicles, contraband worth over N17.4 billion
* Written by Silas Onuoha :
The CAC
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service has made impressive performance with seizures of 117 vehicles and other contraband worth more than N17.4billion in Duty Paid Valid (DPV).
DSC Theophilus Duniya, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Unit, disclosed this in a press statement made available to our reporter.
According to him, “The Unit was created to complement the Area Commands, in order to ensure that revenue accruable to the federal government is not lost to desperate and unpatriotic smugglers through their sharp practices.
“Consequent upon this, the Ag. Controller, D/C Usman Yahaya, and his team are strongly determined to block all revenue leakages, smuggling of illicit and prohibited goods in the interest of the nation’s socio-economic security across the Zone (South-West).”
The PRO informed, “From January – September 2020, the Unit increased government’s revenue with the sum of N1.6billion as revenue from demand notices (DN) raised on cargoes for either being under declared, wrongly classified or falsely declared.
“117 units of vehicles and general goods were seized for various offences worth a Duty Paid Value of N 17,490,768,633.00”.
His assertions, “The Unit had in the past intercepted containers laden with pump action rifles, tramadol drugs and smuggled cannabis among other dangerous substances and goods that would have succeeded in getting into wrong hands.
“We remain resolute at enforcing the federal government’s ban on importation of all prohibited goods into the country; especially now that the land borders are closed.
“Importers are hereby, advised to make proper declarations and ensure compliance with the extant clearance procedure.
“However, smugglers are also warned to desist from sabotaging the nation’s economy through their activities.
“We shall remain firm and resolute in discharging our duties in accordance with the extant laws without fears or intimidation. Support and facilitate legitimate compliant traders to succeed in their businesses.
“While we continue to thank our esteemed stakeholders and patriotic citizens for their unflinching support, we solicit for useful and timely information to serve our nation better.”
