Nigeria Customs Service Intercepts Contraband Worth N1.28 Billion

By Lod Onyeji

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has made significant seizures of contraband goods worth over N1.28 billion. The intercepted items include 11 used vehicles, four truckloads of foreign parboiled rice, narcotics, and other prohibited goods.

According to Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, the seizures were made in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states as part of the unit's efforts to curtail criminal activities threatening Nigeria's economy and national security. The seized items include 2,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 11 used vehicles, 4,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and various other contraband goods.

Shuaibu highlighted the interception of two 40-foot containers loaded with vehicles and goods smuggled to evade customs duties. The containers held seven Mitsubishi Cantas, five Toyota buses, and three mini buses, alongside other contraband items.

The NCS also recovered N48.04 million through demand notices issued for improperly declared consignments, underscoring the unit's commitment to plugging revenue leakages. Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures.

The Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State, Abdul Maiyaki, commended the high-level inter-agency collaboration between NDLEA and Customs, assuring that the NDLEA would intensify enforcement and collaborative efforts to curb the influx of drugs into the country.

These seizures demonstrate the NCS's ongoing efforts to protect Nigeria's economy and national security by intercepting contraband goods and enforcing customs regulations.