The Nation Newspaper

Tag: customs

  • Customs impounds N2.75b rice, vehicles

    • Two suspects held

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operation Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja,  has impounded 66 trucks loaded with foreign rice , 34 vehicles, 3,79kilogrammes of Indian hemp and other contraband valued at N2.75billion.

    Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed told reporters yesterday, that two suspects were arrested over the smuggling of Indian hemp valued at N379.2million.

    He said the bags of Indian hemp were smuggled inot the country from Ghana by unscrupulous Nigerians.

    Also, he noted that between August 17 and December 10, 2018,  FOU intercepted various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N5.1billion.

    He listed the seized items to include: “24 units of seized vehicles and 34 exotic vehicles on detention (58), 39,664 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent of 66 trailers), 3,252 frozen poultry products, 2,887 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 3,792 parcels of Indian hemp, 5x20feet containers of unprocessed wood, 2,520 bales of used clothing, 710 cartons of tramadol, 510 kilogrammes of pangolin packed in 17 sacks, 180 pieces of compressors, among others.

    “The 58 vehicles under detention/seizure are: 3bullet proof vehicles including 1 Lexus Jeep LX570 (2016) and 2 Land Cruiser Jeeps (2017/2018), 6 Toyota Camry, other vehicles include: 2 Toyota Hilux (2017), 2 Toyota Land Cruiser (2016), 2 Nissan Navara (2016) among others.”

    The comptroller stressed that  the anti-smuggling units also intercepted some motorcycles laden with bags of rice from unapproved routes, creeks and border communities.

    Mohammed  said: “ The drive and desire to compliment the Comptroller General’s policy of entrenching transparency and integrity while enforcing the core mandate of the service is the determining factor for his uncompromising stand to succeed at all cost.

    Speaking on seizures of rice, the comptroller said proactive steps of enforcement were  achieving the desired result. He said the agency was working in line with the policy of the Federal Government in sustaining agriculture and self-sufficiency in food production, revamping the economic recovery plan, protecting national security and ameliorating the potential health hazards of the negative impact of smuggled items to the average citizens.

    Mohammed said as a unit that requires and ensure total compliance to all clearance procedure and extant laws, the non-compliance of stakeholders who chose to abuse these procedures would always fall victims of FOU.

    He said the greatest new year gift the FOU Zone A was offering Nigerians was the modest contribution of sacrifice that officers and men went through to combat the menace of these illicit substances.

  • Customs restates commitment anti-smuggling fight

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday sent a chilling message to opponents to its fierce implementation of anti-smuggling war that no amount of blackmail would force it abdicate its duty.

    There has been a social media onslaught on the activities of the service since its current Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) changed the old order, intensified transparency and rule of law in the organisation.

    Those that benefited from the spoils in the old order are however, fighting with everything in their capacity to reverse the trend.

    NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah, who spoke with The Nation in his office yesterday countered the “insinuations,” of the critics, describing them as measures to mislead the public to force the NCS to chicken out of its enforcement of the anti-smuggling law.

    The spokesman, who listed the achievements of Ali’s led Customs to include the generation of the highest ever N1.037 trillion last year and definitely surpassing that figure this year.

    Seizure of 2,671 pump action raffle last year, the last week seizure of 59 containers of tramadol and other controlled drugs across the commands.

    He submitted that “it becomes questionable if it is at this time that the people will choose to say otherwise. We are not surprised because we understand that the new style of doing things blocks the interest of certain people.

     

  • Suspected kidnappers of customs officer nabbed

    The police have arrested seven men who allegedly kidnapped an Assistant Controller of Customs, Mrs Justina Tanko, in Onne, Rivers State.

    The suspected kidnappers were apprehended by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    The suspects are:  Zigabari Voonu, 32; Maxwell Barindom, 32, Dele Kunewo-liaga, 35; Tordi Barinaa, 27; Godspower Keenom a.k.a. Immortal, 23; Justice Afangide a.k.a. Max P, 33, and Oludofin Yakubu, 26.

    It was said that Tanko was kidnapped at an unnamed restaurant about 5:30 pm on November 13, and taken to an unknown destination.

    The suspects were identified through technical intelligence deployed by IRT operatives.

    Items recovered from the suspects included, two Ak47 riffles, one pump action gun, operational vehicle and the VW Golf belonging to one of their victims, Chibuike Ezenkwu, who was kidnapped in May 2018.

    Read also: Murder of 20-year-old under-graduate that shook Bayelsa

    It was learnt that Ezenkwu was killed and thrown into a river, shortly after the suspects collected unspecified amount as ransom from his family members.

    Tanko was said to have been released at about 11:30pm on November 15, 2018, after a ransom of N5million was paid by her family members.

    The suspects were rounded up shortly after the customs woman was freed.

    The suspects, according to police sources, confessed to carrying out robbery operations in Eleme and Gonna Local Government Areas of Rivers State, while they also maintained a stronghold in Biara town in Gokana Local Government Area and Trailer Park in Eleme.

    Zigabari, a member of Degbam cult group, who hails from Ogu-Gbolo council area, was a security guard in the restaurant where Tanko visits regularly, and he was the one who initiated the abduction with his gang.

    Maxwell from Gokana Local Government Area, is also a member of Degbam cult group and a close ally of the gang’s leader. His phone was said to have been used to negotiate ransom with family members of their victims.

    Dele, also from Gokana area of Rivers State, was the one who brought numerous kidnap ‘jobs’ for “Bobo” and his gang.

  • 2019 polls: Customs tightens security at borders against smuggling of firearms

    •10, 498 officers sit for promotion examination

    THE Nigeria Customs Services said yesterday it has tightened security across Nigeria borders to tackle the proliferation and smuggling of firearms, ahead of next year’s general elections.

    Its Comptroller – General, Hameed Ali, said the service has also put the seaports under surveillance since most firearms and ammunitions are smuggled into the country through the areas.

    He spoke with reporters during the conduct of promotion exercise for Customs Service personnel at the Computer-Based Test Centre of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Abuja.

    Ali said: “Most of the arms and ammunition coming into the country come through the seaports. Those ones that we discovered coming through the border stations, we have already tightened security. Although, there are some areas in the North, which are porous.

    “We are doing the best we can and we work on information because intelligence information helps a lot. Anywhere we discover that illegal arms are about to enter the country, we go there and get it locked down.”

    Ali, who was represented by ACG Olapolu Fatade of Customs’ Human Resource Department, explained that 10, 498 officers took part in the promotion examination for different ranks across the country.

    He added that the agency chose to conduct the exercise in JAMB CBT centres because of its credibility and timely release of results.

    JAMB’s Head of Media, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, explained the board’s readiness to continuously give the public the desired impact to enhance institutions through conducting transparent and credible examinations at its CBT centres nationwide.

    Read also: Customs confiscates N572m goods, arrests 11

    He explained that organisations and agencies chose to conduct their exercises at JAMB because of the trust and confidence they had for the board to deliver.

    “Before each examination, we charge the candidates to conduct themselves in the best way because once you breach the examination’s code of conduct, you will be immediately sent out of the hall.

    “We are very firm, determined and irrespective of whoever is involved, our benchmark is that you must behave accordingly as expected of you,” Benjamin said.

    He added that the board would soon begin registration for 2019/2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in December as scheduled.

    According to Benjamin, no specific date has been fixed for the beginning of the registration yet.

     

  • Assembly frowns at ‘killings’ by Customs

    Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Presidency to caution Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers against what it called reckless killings while chasing suspected rice smugglers.

    It urged the government to commiserate with the families of those who died during such occurrences.

    David Setonji (Badagry Constituency 2) spoke yesterday on the issue under matters of urgent public importance during plenary.

    He recalled the incident that claimed the life of Mrs. Patience Oni on November 20, adding that many were injured.

    The lawmaker urged the House to caution the Customs before more people are killed.

    Ibrahim Layode (Badagry 1) said the matter must not be swept under the carpet. He urged Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris to ensure the prosecution of those arrested.

    Rasheed Makinde (Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 2) also spoke of someone who was killed when Customs officers pursued rice smugglers.

    He said: “This incident is rampant in the state. I wouldn’t know why Customs officers will chase smugglers within the state, when their job is limited to borders.”

    Majority Leader Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1) said the Customs must compensate the bereaved  family, adding that though this would not bring the woman back to life.

    Speaker Mudashiru Obasa stressed the need to write to the Presidency to caution Customs officers on what he called their excesses.

    He said: “This shows Nigerian Customs is inefficient to manage the borders. The Clerk of the House should send a letter to the Presidency on the prayers of the House.”

    The Assembly read for the second time, a bill for a law to amend the Lagos State Security Trust Fund law presented by Funmilayo Tejuosho, chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy.

    Lagos State audit law amendment bill was also read for the second time.

    The House committed the bills to the House Committee on Public Accounts (State) and directed the committee to report back to the House in two weeks.

     

  • Customs seizes Tramadol worth N7.3b

    •Two helicopters impounded
    •Officers reject N150m bribe

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) said yesterday that it had intercepted 40 by 40 feet containers laden with Tramadol and other dangerous pharmaceutical products worth over N7.3billion.

    A large number of the dangerous drugs, NCS said, were imported into the country by some scrupulous importers from India to endanger the health of the nation.

    Attempt by the importers to bribe Customs officers with over $400,000 (about N150million), to effect the release of just one container out of the 40 seized, it was gathered, was rebuffed by the officers.

    Addressing reporters at the Apapa command of the Service while displaying the dollars yesterday, its Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), said NCS has also impounded two helicopters that can be used for nefarious activities.

    One of the helicopters with registration number SN-BLI, the Customs helmsman said, was intended for export, and was concealed in container number PONU7789246, while the second helicopter, a Cessna 182A, was imported into the country from the United States of America for unknown assignment.

    Ali said the first helicopter was falsely declared as 388 bags of cashew nuts, while the second was concealed in container number MRKU 4457663 before they were intercepted by some vigilant and patriotic officers of the command.

    Its importation, Ali said, violates Section 36 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), Cap C45, LFN 2004 over failure to provide End-User-Certificate from the offices of the National Security Adviser and approval from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

    Investigation, the CGC said, was ongoing to fish out the owners of the two helicopters.

    He said three suspects with some Customs officers that were involved in the clearance of some of the containers laden with Tramadol drugs from the port have been arrested for further investigation and possible prosecution.

  • TCN to recover power containers auctioned by Customs 

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is set to recover 200 containers auctioned by the Nigeria  Customs Service (NCS) outside the ports, its Managing Director, Usman Mohammed, has assured.

    He said the containers were filled with power equipment imported from abroad, adding that TCN is convinced that the containers would be recovered soon, and thereafter taken to where they are needed for the growth of the sector.

    In a statement, Mohammed said TCN has recovered 693 out of over 800 containers that were brought into the country by the previous governments, in order to improve power generation, distribution and transmission.

    He said the containers were stranded at various ports, due to the failure of the past government to pay the necessary charges on them.

    He said: “TCN has been able to recover 693 out of over 800 containers, that were imported by the government and scattered around the countries. Some of these containers are in various ports for more than fifteen years.

    “ Some of the containers have been auctioned by the officials of the NCS and we have to trace the auctioneers, with a view to getting the containers back. The government is supporting TCN in order to recover  the containers, and I know that as the government have beamed its searchlight on the distribution companies, they are going to solve the problems in the distribution companies, by helping them to get the facilities they need for operation, including the power containers that are missing.”

    According to him, the government was set to solve the problems in the distribution arm of the sector, adding that modalities have been put in place to address the crises besetting the growth of the industry.

    In a related development, the Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, said the Federal Government is committed to the provision of equipment needed to ensure steady power supply.

     

     

  • Customs busts drug syndicate

    •538 bags of cannabis seized

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers have busted a notorious drug syndicate responsible for the smuggling of hard drugs, including Indian hemp, Tramadol, Codeine and others on the Benin axis.

    The Headquarters Strike Force team of the NCS seized 538 bags of Cannabis, 67 cartons of Tramadol and Codeine from the gang during a special operation on the Benin-Ore axis.

    Also impounded were 2,185 bags of parboiled rice, 617 bales of second hand clothes, 600 pieces of used tyres, 100 cartons of vegetable oil and 35 sacks of second hand shoes with Duty Paid Value of N105,337,000.00.

    The National Coordinator of the team, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Kirawa, who displayed the contraband before reporters, said the seizures were recorded in the last one month.

    Handing over the drugs to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Kirawa urged youths to abstain from drugs and other prohibited substances, in order to guarantee a “brighter future for themselves and the nation.”

     

  • Customs impounds contrabands worth over N35m

    •Five smugglers aarrested

    The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command yesterday impounded 1,200 bags of foreign rice, 300 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 100 bags of foreign sugar and 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at over N35 million.

    Briefing reporters at the Bompai headquarters of the command, Comptroller Nasir Ahmad said five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.

    He said: “We have arrested five suspects so far. They will be prosecuted. We have our legal department and they are handling the matter.”

    Ahmad said the seizures were made by the patrol team on Daura Road, Katsina Road, Gwarzo Road in Kano and Babura border in Jigawa State.

    According to him, “we have 1, 200 bags of foreign rice worth N27 million, 300 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil worth over N3.5 million, 100 bags of foreign sugar worth over N2million and 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth over N500, 000.

    “We also impounded 14 vehicles used in conveying the smuggled goods. Now, what we are trying to say is this, as long as they won’t stop smuggling, we won’t stop seizing them.

    “It is in their interest to stop smuggling and help the economy. It is in their interest to stop smuggling and help the economy of the North, because the North is the major producer of rice, besides Ebonyi State. Other states producing rice are in the North. Now, why are they killing the business?

    “As I said earlier, Customs is not here to kill businesses, Customs is here to promote genuine and legitimate trade and that is what we keep doing. If you are in legitimate business, we won’t come after you, we will encourage you and we will be with you. This is why we have incentives for those that are in genuine businesses. We provide fast-track for them to use.

    “But as long as you want to engage in smuggling, you will never be our friend and we will never be your friend. Now, to those that think they can just come after officers, we will come after you. You cannot kill our officers; you cannot maim our officers and go scot-free.

    “Anybody that does that, we will come right after you because this is not a personal job we are doing, this is a Federal Government job, and it is for the promotion of the economy.”

     

  • Kano/Jigawa: Customs impound contraband items worth over N35m

    …Arrest Five Smugglers

    The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command on Tuesday impounded 1200 bags of foreign rice, 300 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil, 100 bags of foreign sugar and 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at over N35 million within three weeks of intensive operations.

    Briefing Reporters at the Bompai Headquarters of the Command, the Comptroller in-charge of the Command, Nasir Ahmad said that five suspects were also arrested in connection to the seizures.

    According to him, “we have five suspects arrested so far and they would be prosecuted according the provision of the law. We have our legal department and they are handling it accordingly.”

    Ahmad explained that the seizures were made at various times by the Patrol Team along Daura Road, Katsina Road, Gwarzo Road in Kano, and Babura border in Jigawa state.

    According to him, “we have a total of 1, 200 bags of foreign rice worth N27 million; 300 jerrycans of foreign vegetable oil worth over N3.5 million; 100 bags of foreign sugar worth over N2million; 200 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth over N500, 000.

    “We also impounded 14 vehicles used in conveying the smuggled contraband items. Now, what we are trying to say is this, as long as they won’t stop smuggling, we won’t stop seizing them.

    “It is in their own interest to stop smuggling and help the economy of the nation. It is in their own interest to stop smuggling and help the economy of the North, because the North is the major producers of rice, apart from Ebonyi state, other states producing rice are domiciled in the 19 northern states. Now, why are they killing the business?

    Read Also: Court to hear suit against Oyetola on October 24

    “Like I said earlier on, Customs is not here to kill businesses, Customs is here to promote genuine and legitimate trade and that is what we keep doing. If you are in legitimate business, we won’t come after you, we will encourage you and we will be with you; and that is why we have incentives for those that are in genuine businesses and we provide fast-track for them to use.

    “But as long as you want to engage in the act of smuggling, you will never be our friend and we will never be your friend. Now, to those that think they can just come after officers, we will come after you. You cannot kill our officers; you cannot maim our officers and go scot free.

    “Anybody that does that, we will come right after you because this is not a personal job we are doing, this is a Federal Government job, and it is for the promotion of the economy of the nation.”