Customs FOU ‘A’ Impound Bulletproof Jackets, Jack Knives, Illicit Substances

The Nigeria Customs Service, 

Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A has intercepted a Toyota Sienna containing15 bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives and 20 pieces of pistol pouches within Ijebu Ode axis of Ogun State.

The Unit in addition made a total 50 seizures were made within the period under review for non compliance with the extant Customs laws.

Acting Controller of the Unit, Kehinde Hussein Ejibunu while briefing journalists at t on Wednesday, thanked Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, saying that his maiden working visit to the Unit was a morale booster for officers.

Notable among the seizures made are:

I. 5,642 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 9 trailer loads)

II. 18,925 litres (757 X 25 litres jerry cans of premium motor spirit)

III. 20 pieces of pistol pouches

IV. 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets

V. 15 pieces of jack knives

VI. 49 cartons of children school shoes

VII. 181(87 kg) parcels of Indian Hemp

VIII. 357 kegs X 5 litres of vegetable oil

IX. 1 unit of Honda Motorcycle

X. 2 used (Tokumbo) vehicles

Ejibunu addressing the press

Ejibunu put the total duty paid value (DPV) for the seized items stood at N462,708,875.

The Unit Controller disclosed that the sum of N66,493,346.4 revenue receipts was recovered into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN).

Speaking further, Ejibunu said 13 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures, and are at different stages of investigations and prosecution.

The Unit Controller used the opportunity to hand over three suspects arrested with 7,728 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Command; for further investigation and prosecution.

Giving the break down of the unit’s performance within the period under review, he said, “Within July 2023 the sedulousness of our officers led to the interception of smuggled 15 bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives and 20 pieces of pistol pouches inside a Toyota Sienna Bus in Ogun State at Ijebu-Ode Checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle was arrested in conjunction with the seized controlled wares.

“It is pertinent to know that the importation of all forms of bulletproof materials such as vests, ballistic materials and vehicles, as well as parts and accessories for all military armaments and hardware such as guns, arms and ammunition of all kinds; lethal and non-lethal requires an end-user certificate.

Ejibunu displaying some of the seizures by the unit

“An end-user certificate is applied to, and issued by the office of the national security adviser which loses its validity after one year from the issuance date. Hence, anyone importing a controlled item must do so within the validity period of the end-user certificate.

Ejibunu handing over seized cannabis sativa to officials of NDLEA

“Seizures recorded within the period under review are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods.

“This success story will not be complete without my expression of gratitude to the Ag. Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR whose maiden working visit to the Unit was a morale booster. I also use this medium to thank him and members of the management team for stoking our logistics for more gainful performance” he said.”