CUSTOMS: FOU Zone B Intercepts Police Camouflage Uniforms , Arrests 4 Suspects
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Units (FOU ) Zone B Kaduna , said a total of four suspects were arrested in connection with seizure of
thirty-seven bales and four rolls of Nigeria Police camouflage uniforms along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway .
The FOU Zone B operatives made the seizures on the 15th December, 2023 at about 1400hrs, local time .
Controller , Federal Operations Unit
Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Comptroller, Dalha Wada Chedi, at a press briefing on Thursday, 4th January 2024 stated that the onslaught by officers and men of the Unit during the period under review yielded a total of 71 seizures of 12 different items intercepted at various locations in the Zone, which according to him were of grave implications to the health and safety of Nigerians.
In line with activities of the unit between November 28 to December 31 2023, Comptroller Chedi reiterated that the seizures made during the period is a fulfillment to ensure full compliance with the federal government of Nigeria directives on closure of all land borders with Niger republic.
The Customs Chief explained that “: Remarkably among these 71 seized items was the arrest made on the 15th December, 2023 at about 1400hrs, the operatives of the Unit arrested a container truck based on credible intelligence along the Lokoja-Abuja expressway suspected to be conveying prohibited items.
“After a 100% physical examination, Thirty-Seven Bales and Four (4) Rolls of Nigeria Police Camouflage Uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck. Four (4) suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure.
” Considering the nature of the items and its possibility of being utilized for nefarious activities by unscrupulous elements, the seized police camouflage uniforms, the 4 suspects together with the means of conveyance were all handed over to the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Kaduna State Command on Wednesday 27 December 2023 for further investigation and possible prosecution in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration and having obtained necessary approval from the Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to him, the seizures were made in different parts of the Zone with the Duty Paid Value of Four hundred and Six Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Ninety-One Naira, Thirty-Four Kobo (₦406,924,091.34) only.
He stated that the breakdown showed that, due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the FOU, Zone B operatives, eight used vehicles as well as two means of conveyance were impounded during the period.
The Area Controller added that as a result of the constant patrol of his operatives, the Unit was able to seize 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), which would have made their ways into the markets, and consumed by the people, despite the hazards, some of such imported grains posed to health.
He pointed out that the vigilance of the operatives of the Unit during the period, likewise led to the interception and seizure of 877 Jerry-cans (25 litres each) of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS).
” However in line with the extant laws and guidelines as directed by the Customs Headquarters, the PMS that were seized have been auctioned and the proceeds remitted to the coffers of the Federal Government.
” Other seizures made during the period include; 240 bales of Foreign Second Hand Clothing, 10 Jerry-cans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25 litres each), 415 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni and Couscous, 349 Cartons of Foreign New Shoes (Unisex), 500mg of 3,400 Sachets of Foreign Amoxicillin and 35 Cartons of Foreign Flame Lighters.
” Beyond this, suffice to say that despite the value of the 17 seizures made within the period, as stated above, we are proud to say that the Unit has seized hard drugs and other assorted goods at various intervals in the Year 2023 worth about Four Billion Naira (N4 billion) in Duty Paid Value(DPV) from 1st January to 31st December, 2023. This represents 100% increase in seizures made above total DPV of #2,345,155,577.38 that was seized in the year 2022. It is also an indication that the operatives of the Unit have up-the-ante in the fight against smuggling in the Zone.
On the commendation by management of the service, he stressed that “It is instructive to note that the recognition of the renewed effort of the operatives of the Unit led to the Customs Headquarters, giving the Unit a Letter of Commendation earlier in 2023. This development, I must say has contributed to the boosting of the morale of the Officers and Men of the Unit.
He further commended the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for the support to the Unit as well as appreciating sister agencies, namely the Nigeria Police, DSS, Military, NDLEA, NAFDAC among others for their collaborations.
” At this juncture, let me on behalf of all the Officers and Men of the Unit; reiterate my commitment at enforcing the Federal Government Fiscal policies in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as our operatives are battle-ready to carry out our mandate effectively.
“I also need to assure the citizenry through you, members of the Media, that the operatives of the Unit in this New Year are poised like never before, to foil all attempts by smugglers at importing any prohibited goods into its area of jurisdiction as well as recover all underpaid duties into the government’s coffers,”he pointed out.
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