.
…Arrest 5 Suspects
The importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has disclosed that its Special Task Force unit on illegal importation into Nigeria has sealed up 5 warehouses due to non compliance to import regulations.
The special Task force main statutory duty is to check mate the activities of importer, Exporters and other business organisations who are involved in sabotaging the efforts of Nigeria government in regulating and controlling influx of illegal and dangerous goods into the country
Addressing news men on the activities of the Association after the launch of collection of its members toll across all sea ports and border stations in the South/West zone, Mr Prosper Okolo, the chief operating officer of South West Zone of the Special Task Force said the 5 warehouses sealed up were found to deal in importation of tyres, used clothing’s, unwholesome products among others without the required regulations and permits, Some of which were found to have gone against the importation laws such as concealments of up to five small tyres into big ones to pay lesser duties.
Mr Prosper Okolo who condemned the acts as not only economic sabotage but also endergering the lives of Nigerians as these tyres though new, but have lost its value due to the way it was concealed and imported into the Country.
According to Prosper “Within the period, the Task force received credible intelligence of some warehouses involved in production and importations of fake and sub-standards products without the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) regulations”
“The task force has so far sealed 5 warehouses which were found to deal in importation of tyres, used clothing’s, unwholesome products among others without the required regulations and permits” he quipped”
Noting that some of the companies alleged to be involved in the nefarious activities are Megachem Nigeria Limited, Kevolinks Digital Limited, Kwikfit Nigeria Limited, Inomek Nigeria Limited and Bosac Nigeria Limited among others, owned by foreigners, mostly Chinese.
He added that aside from the sealed warehouses , the Special Task Force on illegal importations through credible intelligence has also recorded other tremendous successes since inception of it’s enforcement activities in the first two months of 2019.
“We are pleased to announce to you that in the last two months a total of 10 containers of 6 by 20ft and 4by 40ft containers with various infractions ranging from concealments, banned and smuggled goods imported into the Country was intercepted in various parts of Lagos State by the Task force. Aside from the concealments, some of them short pays the government to the tone of Billions of Naira” he said.
Responding to questions, Prosper disclosed that five suspects including foreigners and their Nigerian collaborators were arrested and handed to the appropriate quarters within the period under review.
Appealing to members of the public to avail with the necessary information regarding import frauds, forgeries, concealments and smuggling activities that will expose these economic saboteurs of their unpatriotic acts in order to bring them to justice, he also call on all security agencies, especially those involved in Imports, exports and other regulatory functions to collaborate with the IMAN Special Task Force to rid Nigeria of these menance.
Urging importers, Clearing Agents and manufacturers to abide by the regulatory and fiscal requirements inline with the law in carrying out their businesses, Mr Prosper also reiterate that, the IMAN Special Task Force is not out to witch hunt anybody or organizations, neither is it to challenge or rub shoulders with any agency of government, but to complement the efforts of the government agencies to the country of neferious activities perpetrated by unpatriotic Nigerians and their foreign collaborators who deprived the country of not only required revenue, but also post danger to the health of Nigerians.
It is worthy to note that IMAN Special Task Force is a private sector initiative set up by IMAN to assist other government security agencies in the country to checkmate the activities of importers, Exporters and other business organisations who are involved in sabotaging the efforts of the Nigeria government in regulating and controlling influx of illegal and dangerous goods into the Country.
The IMAN Special Task Force which is duly registered and approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria to carry out its activities is headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Philemon Leha (rtd), who is the Director General of the body.
IMAN is working in partnership with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Abuja through intelligence and enforcement of its mandates to checkmate illegal activities of smuggling,fraud, illegal importations, forgery, concealments and other economic sabotage.
