Chelda Says Federal Operations Kaduna Won’t Negotiate Mandate

BY FUNMI ALUKO

Compt. Chedi, pointing, surrounded by his principal officers including the Unit PRO, Isa on the right, showing reporters round the seized items

Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, Comptroller Dalha Wada Chedi has reiterated his oft warning that the unit inclusive of its officers and men will not negotiate its duty and national assignment which is primarily to suppress and subdue all acts smuggling within its area of jurisdiction.

In a release made available to our reporter by the Unit Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Suleiman Isa, Comptroller Chedi who dropped the warning earlier today while briefing news men on the activities of the unit covering February 17 till date at Kangiwa House Kaduna, noted that the Nigeria Customs Act 2023 is no respecter of person; and stressed that his officers and men are fully on the ground to adequately respond to every form of economic sabotage and smuggling.

He disclosed that the unit within the period under review intercepted a total of 98 seizures which consist of Twenty-One (21) different items including contraband foreign parboiled rice, used foreign shoes, petroleum products, vehicles (means of conveyance), pasta among others.

According to the Kaduna FOU boss, while the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items is Seven Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Seven Naira and Forty-Six Kobo (N769, 465,907.46); he further disclosed that 372 bags of the questionable rice intercepted in the north central operational areas were deposited at the Kwara Area Command.

For those who continue to try the resolve of the present administration through new tricks and tactics, Chedi said, “Our eagle eye Officers and Men are constantly responding to the ever newer changing tactics of smugglers, who deploys ever new methods in concealing smuggled rice in local flour sacks to disguise the smuggle rice as flour.

“It is also noteworthy that we combine effective intelligence network in combating and exposing these rice smugglers. I said earlier that we remain resolute and will not relent as there is no amount of trick, blackmail or orchestrated attacks that will dampen our resolve.

“I say to those die-hard smugglers that sponsor mobs to attack our operatives and/or organize to stage illegal demonstrations against us that they cannot and will not discourage and deter us from carrying out our job. It is one of two options, either these smugglers turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate trade, or have us to deal with and face the wrath of the law and the full consequences”, he declared.

The statement reads: “Once again, I am pleased to welcome you to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ to give you an update about our anti-smuggling activities for the period covering February 17 until date.

“I am also happy to report that our operatives have remained resolute, committed and vigilant in the fight against smuggling and to say that within the period under review, recorded a total of Ninety-Eight (98) seizures of Twenty-One (21) different items which includes contraband foreign parboiled rice, used foreign shoes, petroleum products, vehicles (means of conveyance), pasta among others.

“Of particular note was the seizure of 372 bags of offensive rice that were intercepted by operatives of the Unit and deposited at the Kwara Area Command. Our eagle eye Officers and Men are constantly responding to the ever newer changing tactics of smugglers, who deploys ever new methods in concealing smuggled rice in local flour sacks to disguise the smuggle rice as flour.”

He attributed the impressive performance to a combination of strategies and operational factors, including dedication of officers and men.

“It is also noteworthy that we combine effective intelligence network in combating and exposing these rice smugglers. I said earlier that we remain resolute and will not relent as there is no amount of trick, blackmail or orchestrated attacks that will dampen our resolve.”

Comptroller Cheldi gave the breakdown of the seizures to include the following:

1. 698 bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each)
2. 367 Cartons Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni, Couscous
3. 136 Bales Foreign Secondhand clothing
4. 715 Jerry cans of Premium motor Spirit (25 Litres each)
5. 65 Jerry cans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25 Litres each)
6. 12 Unit Used Vehicles
7. 4 Units Means of Conveyance
8. 9 Cartons Chakapain Xtra (50mg)
9. 425.5 Cartons Foreign Milky Creamer & Milk Powder
10. 136 pieces Foreign used Tyre
11. 14 Bags Foreign Tiger Nuts
12. 151 Cartons of unregistered Alcoholic Beverages
13. sachets and 68 Cartons Foreign Butter
14. 40 Cartons Expired Foreign General Goods
15. 120 Cartons of Foreign Eva soap.

Other items are 170 bags of sodium sulphate (25Kg each); 20 cartons of Foreign Dye Powder; 600 bags of Sokoto cement used in concealing of items O, P, & Q; 379 assorted general goods intercepted at Daura for being improperly exported; and 400 cartons of unregistered Organic Fertilizer.

Chedi used the opportunity to draw attention to the 90-days grace granted by the federal government for owners of improperly cleared imported cars to correct their duty payment, while also hinting that owners should ensure that they process their clearances using the right VIN.

“Let me use this opportunity to draw the attention of the general public concerning the act of altering VIN (Chassis Number) of Vehicles by smugglers to evade arrest or to manipulate the payment of duty.

“I want the concerned citizens to always examine the VIN on the windscreen and that on the chassis (skeleton) of the vehicle they intend buying because it is an offence under S.236 (b) of the NCS Act 23 and the offender is liable to a fine of N2, 000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.

“At this point, as Nigerians we must join in thanking the leadership and management of the NCS for graciously tampering justice with mercy so as to provide safe landing for those Nigerians found to have acted in breach of the Customs extant laws, in relation to the directive of the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy on the recent 90-days window granted to vehicle owners to perfect their duty documentation.

“I call on the general public to utilize the 90-days window to regularize their improperly imported vehicles, especially in view of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fatherly disposition in the light of the current general hardship for which he magnanimously suspended the 25% penalty previously imposed in addition to import duty on improperly imported vehicles; to make it more accessible to the citizens.”

He also used the opportunity to “specially thank our amiable Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team for their usual support and encouragement to Officers and Men of the Unit and the Service in general.”