FOU Kaduna Records 179 Seizures May/July  ‘23

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B has said it landed a total of 179 seizures between May and July, with a total of a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of  One Billion, Forty Four Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira, Eighty Kobo (N1,044,772,159.80K).

The Unit Controller, Comptroller Musa Ibrahim Jalo warned that unless those engaged in smuggling tow the path of honest living through legitimate trade, the unit will continue to drill a hole in their wall chest of funds with the continued seizure of their goods, and with possible risk of prosecution when caught.

“Of particular note is the seizure of illicit substances like cannabis sativa jointly arrested with the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) in Kebbi, vehicles, smuggled foreign parboiled rice and second hand clothing, foreign soaps, vegetable oils and pastas.

Jalo speaking through the Unit Public Relations Officer, Isah Suleiman explained that the assortments of items arrested in different locations within the zone were mainly intelligence driven, plus the due vigilance and diligence of officers and men of the Unit.

He declared that “Officers and men who have remained focused are presently also in sync with the current work agenda and orientation of the new administration ably led by the Ag. Comptroller -General of Customs, Bashir Wale Adeniyi MFR.”

Quoting the FOU Kaduna boss, Suleiman said, “As you all are aware, our primary assignment is that of suppression of smuggling and anti-economic activities by undesirable elements in all its ramifications.

“Recall that upon my resumption of duty here at the FOU Zone B on 27 January 2023, l said that l will work not only to build on the strategies l am inheriting from his predecessor, the amiable ACG Albashir Hamisu but to continue to dialogue and where necessary continue to strengthen the pillars of the unit’s operations.

“Further recall that l tasked my officers and men to redouble their efforts to sustain the traction. I am particularly happy to inform you that between May and June 2023, the Unit under my humble leadership recorded a total of One Hundred and Seventy Nine (179) seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Billion, Forty Four Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira, Eighty Kobo (N1,044,772,159.80K).

Jalo listed the intercepted items to include the following: 21 Units of Used Vehicles; 11 Units  of Vehicles (Means of Conveyance); 2234 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each); 48 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (25Kg each); 226 Jerrycans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25litres each); 2780 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni and Couscous; 278 Bales of Foreign Second Hand Clothing; 15 Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Shoes; 140 Cartons of Foreign Tin Tomato Paste; Foreign Pomade; Foreign Milky Creamer; Foreign Green Tea; Foreign Milk; 149 Cartons of Foreign Fruit Juice; Foreign Soap and Foreign Matches.

Others are 140 Jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (25litres each); 18. 1000 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (25litres each); Foreign Used Tyres; Foreign Eclairs Sweets; Foreign Shisha (Tobacco) ; Foreign Expired Cigarette; Foreign Vitamin D3 Supplements; Foreign Charcoal Briskets ; Foreign LPG Cylinders (100Kg each) ; Foreign Tiger Nut (100Kg each) ; Foreign Used Belts ; and 81 Parcels of Cannabis Sativa, known in local parlance as marijuana.

Speaking on the offensive nature of the seized items, Jalo said the unit is forward looking and will continue to carry out its duty with blind justice, even as he urged those in the practice to desist.

“l like to use this medium to appeal to the perpetrators to desist and engage in legitimate trade because this unit has no plans to negotiate our extant laws.

“We will continue to confront all acts of smugglings and to crush every obstacle on the way with all lawful force, therefore l advise Nigerians to take advantage of the renewed hope agenda of the new administration and the commitment of our CGC Bashir Wale Adeniyi MFR, to raise the scale of trade facilitation through improved compliance and continuous partnership and engagement.

“Let me also say that in line with the standard operating procedure (SOP) guiding the operations of sister agencies, the unit has handed over seized items outside its primary purview like illicit substances and related items to relevant agencies such as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisations of Nigeria (SON), among others.

“We have enjoyed their unwavering corporation and support and solicit for more collaboration, including your good selves, our revered gentlemen of the forth estate of the realm, for showcasing our activities even as we look forward for more of your objective reportage.”