In continuation of its anti-smuggling operations with determination to wage full scale war against smuggling activities in the country, the Federal Operation Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a total seizures of 29,400 bags (equivalent to 49 trailers) of 50kg foreign parboiled rice With DPV 358,205,480.1, between the period of January 1st to May ending.
The Unit which statutory function is to checkmate smuggling activities in the zone has lived up to expectations by always thwarting efforts of those engaging in the illicit activities of smuggling and evading duties meant for the Federal government coffers.
With the wealth of intelligent officers in the Unit, under the watch of a doyen of anti-smuggling operations Comptroller Muhammed Uba, the deviant smugglers and unpatriotic citizens who are bent on crippling our economy, are seriously counting their loses as all avenues to short change the federal government are being discovered and blocked by the ever ready officers and men of the unit.
The Unit recently intercepted various contrabands and other goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) N1,010,295,666.2, including the arrest of 14 suspects in connection with the 125 seizures made between the period of April 10th to May 15th, 2018.
The unit through its interventions recorded N28,860,788.00 from underpayment, making a cumulative of N1,039,156,454.00) within the period under review.
While in the last five months a total of 159 units of Vehicles were seized with DPV of 4,233,566,446 .and 322 suspects nabbed for various offences .
The Unit’s boss, Comptroller Uba Mohammed who reiterates the his officers determination in making the zone uncomfortable for smugglers to operate sounds a note of warning to those engaging in smuggling activities and fraudulent importers to invest in legitimate trade rather than engaging in smuggling activities as the Unit and the service as a whole will not renege on it’s statutory functions especially in suppressing smuggling.
Reaffirming his stance on the illicit trade, Uba who commended the Officers and Men of the Unit for living up to their statutory responsibilities in suppression of smuggling, blocking all revenue leakages and enhancing trade facilitation towards sustaining best international standards said the Unit have remained unflinching with its mandates and no amount of distraction will deter it from performing it’s statutory duties.
The Unit he said, “We will continue to make zone ‘A’ uncomfortable for smugglers to operate and urge every Nigerian to be patriotic and report any smuggling activities in their areas to the service and any intelligence provided will be treated in confidence”,
