- Our men and officers are fully prepared, equipped to face smugglers head-on. Compt. Lawal
By Silas Onuoha
The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operation Unit, FOU zone ‘C’ has intercepted fake and contraband products worth over N120 million in the months of July and August 2021.
In a press statement issued by the public Relations officer of the unit DSC Jerry Attah, the Area Controller,
Comptroller Yusuf Lawal Psc+. On Monday listed the Seized goods to include 130 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice valued at N5,460,000.
He said the importation of foreign rice is against Federal Government’s agricultural policies and smugglers will never have a filled day.
The Seized goods include also 2,181 cartons of foreign cosmetic products without a registration number from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) valued at N76,335,000 intercepted along the Okada/ Benin express way.
According to him, the cosmetic products include 457 cartons of Simple Sensitive Skin Expert; 790 cartons of Facial Wash, 232 cartons of Carotone Cream, 574 cartons of various brands of cosmetics and 128 cartons of Revlon Almay Godess Gloss.
Other seized items includes 440 cartons of Artesunate injection zensunate without NAFDAC number worth N8,580,000 . 449 cartons of fan pop sweets worth N7, 485,000.
And 161 jumbo bales of used clothing valued at N22,500,000, intercepted along the Enugu- Port -Hacourt expressway. With a total duity paid value ( DPV ) of N120,400,000
Warning Nigerians to be careful of fake and smuggled products the CAC said’.
“They are not only hazardous to human health but also to the economy of Nigeria at large.
” We urge Nigerians to confirm the quality of a product before purchasing it for use because so many medicinal and cosmetic products are being smuggled into the country without a NAFDAC number.
” Those who use non NAFDAC certified cosmetic products stand the risk of skin cancer just as those who consume antimalarial drugs without a NAFDAC number are only experimenting with their lives.
He added. “My men and officers are fully prepared and equipped to combat all nefarious activities of smugglers especially with the festive ember months by the corner.
He commended sister agencies as well as the media, also Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) for their holistic support to the Service.
Speaking further, Comptroller Lawal
promised to checkmate the activities of smugglers in line with his constitutional mandate so as to reduce smuggling in the zone to its barest minimum.
” Our men and officers are fully prepared to face smugglers head-on especially during the ember months in line with our mandate ; we will leave no stone unturned”, he said.
He advised Nigerians to cooperate with the Service as it continues to block all leakages, thwart antics of smugglers and sanitize the country irrespective of whose ox is gored.
