CUSTOMS : FOU Zone B Insists Borders With Niger Republic  No Go Areas

The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna has insisted that all border posts  between Nigeria and Benin Republic remained closed .

Controller ,  Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi disclosed this recently in a statement made available to newsmen.

Comptroller Chedi stated that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, adding that the Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled with the duty of implementing the Federal Government directives.

The customs boss further called  on stakeholders, especially traders and business people, including all Nigerians to eschew all activities that are in violation of the customs extant laws, adding  that Unit will  leave no stone unturned to ensure that all acts of smuggling and anti-economic activities are fully challenged and the full force of the law brought to bear.

According to him, “We are not unaware that within the ember months and especially this yuletide period, many would want to engage in illegal activities, smugglers and all other unscrupulous traders are warned to steer clear of Zone B, our men are fully on ground and combat ready to act in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

“As you are all aware that our primary assignment is that of suppression of smuggling and the combat of all anti-economic activities in all its ramifications, which we do through vigorous customs host community relationship and partnership with all relevant agencies of government.

He stated that the unit also recorded a total of 264 seizures of 21 different items between the date of my resumption and now, which also clearly speak of unit resolve as a Unit to continue to improve on its strategies and overall performances by building on the strong foundations inherited.

Primarily,he noted that: “While l wish to immediately draw your attention to the fact that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, l wish to remind all and sundry that our Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of the Nigeria Customs Service saddled with the duty of implementing the Federal Government directives.

“Permit me to also emphasize that our Unit will continue to leverage on the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR in terms of all operational processes aimed at achieving optimal result.

He pointed out that:”l am also happy to present the statistics of the detentions and seizures made within the period under review with the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of Two Billion, Eighty-Eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Naira and Sixty-Eight Kobo ( N2,888,460,294.68) only. “