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  • Reps ask Customs to return seized rice

    The House of Representatives yesterday instructed the Nigeria Customs Service to return the large quantities of rice they carted away from Kofar Ruwa and Sigha markets in Kano.

    The rice was allegedly seized alongside other essential commodities in midnight raids by men of the Customs.

    The House resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the invasion and reasons behind the carting away of the rice.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion by a member, Aliyu Madaki, titled: “The illegal seizure of rice and the brazen abuse of law by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at Kano markets.”

    Madaki said: “Customs carted away thousands of bags of rice from the Kofar Ruwa market and in the open shared to themselves and other security operatives in the operation.

    “Aware that the Customs again invaded Singha market in the dead of the night and carted away over 10 trailers loaded with rice and other essential food commodities.”

    The lawmaker expressed concern that the operations had affected the growth of business in Kano and by implication Nigerian economy.

     

  • Midnight Raids: Reps ask Customs to return seized Rice

    The House of Representatives on Thursday told the Nigerian Customs Service to return the large quantity of rice they carted away from Kofar Ruwa and Sigha markets in Kano.

    The rice was allegedly seized alongside other essential commodities in midnight raids by men of the Customs.

    The House also resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the invasion and reasons behind the carting away the magnitude of rice from the two markets in Kano.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion by a member, Aliyu Madaki titled: “The illegal seizure of rice and the brazen abuse of law by the officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at Kano Markets.”

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    While moving the motion, Madaki said that the “Customs carted away thousands of bags of rice from the Kofar Ruwa market and in the open shared to themselves and other security operatives in the operation.

    ” Aware that the Customs again invaded the Singha market in the dead of the night and carted away with over 10 trailers loaded with rice and other essential food commodities. ”

    The lawmaker expressed concern that the operations of the men and officer’s of the Customs Service has affected the growth of business in Kano and by implication Nigeria economy.

  • Customs seizes N2b contraband from suspected smugglers

    •Nine bulletproof vehicles, military uniform, others seized

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted nine bulletproof vehicles allegedly smuggled into the country by some “screenshots” importers through the land borders and the sea port.

    The items, it was gathered, were intercepted by officers and men of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, between September 4 and October 3.

    Addressing reporters in his office yesterday, the zone’s Area Controller Mohammed Aliyu said the unit, in less than one month, intercepted military uniforms and various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of over N2 billion.

    Twenty-eight suspects, Muhammed said, were arrested in connection with the 89 seizures made by the unit within the period under review.

    According to him, the seized items include: 22 exotic vehicles, 11,303 bags of foreign parboiled rice brands, 2,410 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 853 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 245 parcels of Indian hemp, 4×40 feet containers of unprocessed wood, 2,017 bales of used clothing and 283 cartons of fake pharmaceutical products.

    The 22 vehicles include nine bulletproof vehicles, four Lexus Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) IBXS70 (2016), three Land Cruiser jeeps (2016) and two Mercedes Benz G63 and 8,550 (2014/2015) model.

    The other vehicles include one Toyota Rav4 (2015) model, three Toyota Hilux (2018), two Toyota H1ghlander (2018), one Toyota Prado (2018), one Toyota Land cruiser (2016), one Toyota Corolla, one Toyota Fortuner (2017), one Toyota Sequoia and one Lexus RX 350, among others.

    The 22 exotic vehicles, investigations revealed, have a duty paid value of N1.1 billion.

    Some of the vehicles were reportedly intercepted at Ogere and Ijebu-Ode expressway in Ogun State, while the bulletproof vehicles were trailed and seized from some private homes on Victoria Island, Lagos, a tip-off.

    Although the area comptroller did not give the number of military uniforms seized, it was learnt that there were 30 of them.

    Considering the security challenge in the country, the Customs chief said the military uniforms could be used by unpatriotic politicians and other criminals to wreak havoc.

    He noted that as unpatriotic elements have begun to dress like solders, Nigerians should support the Service in reducing criminalities across the country.

  • ‘Smugglers lose N2.24b to Customs’

    The Federal Operations Units (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),  said it has intercepted various smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth N2.24 billion.

    The Area Controller of the command, Aliyu Mohammed, who made this known in Lagos, yesterday, said the items were seized within 30 days.

    He said the smuggled items include nine bullet-proof Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and 11,000 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, with an approximate DPV of N2.02 billion.

    He said that 28 suspects were arrested in connection with the 89 seizures between September 4 to October 3, while two bags of military uniforms were also intercepted.

    “The unit also recovered the sum of N220.03 million from Demand Notices (DNs) on vehicles and other general goods that had evaded full payment at sea and airports through false/under-declaration or transfer of value, bringing the approximate total to N2.24 billion.

    “The items include 22 exotic vehicles with an approximate DPV of N1.18 billion. These comprised four bullet-proof Lexus Jeep LX570 (2016), three bullet-proof Land Cruiser Jeeps (2016) and a bullet-proof Mercedes Benz G63 (2014) and S550 (2015).

    Mohammed listed a  three Toyota Hilux (2018), two Toyota Highlander (2018), a unit each of Toyota Rav4 (2015), Toyota Prado (2018), Toyota Land Cruiser (2016), Toyota Corolla, Toyota Fortuner (2017), Toyota Sequoia and Lexus RX 350, among others.

    He said some of the vehicles were intercepted at Ogere and along Ijebu Ode Expressway in Ogun State. The bullet-proof vehicles were trailed and evacuated from some private residences at Victoria Island based on credible information,” Muhammed said.

    He said within the review period, the command also seized 11,303 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice (equivalent of 18 trailers) and 2,410 cartons of frozen poultry products.

    Among the seized items were 853 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 245 parcels of Indian hemp, 4x40ft container of unprocessed wood, 2,017 bales of used clothing and 283 cartons of various pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC number.

    More so, Mohammed advised intending car buyers to verify the authenticity of the import and clearance documents with the appropriate Customs Area Controllers (CACs) at the seaports to avoid unknowingly buying smuggled vehicles with the inherent problems.

    He decried the high prevalence of smuggling along the Idi Iroko corridor in spite of the quantity and frequency of seizures over the past one year.

    The FOU Zone “A” boss, urged the public to join Customs in the fight against smuggling, considering its economic consequences to the Nation.

    He noted that politicians, in their bid to buy or reward patronage with gift items ahead of the 2019 elections, were also adding to the rate of smuggling even as the end-of-year festivities approach.

    Mohammed, however, commended the efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali and his management team for providing the unit with necessary incentives and logistics.

  • Customs seizes bullet proof vehicles, military uniform

    *Arrests 28 suspects

     

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), has intercepted nine bullet proof vehicles that were smuggled into the country by some screenshots importers through the land borders and the nation’s sea port, it was learnt.
    .
    The items, it was gathered, were intercepted by the officers and men of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ , Ikeja between September 4 and third of this month.

    Speaking with reporters in his office on Thursday, its Area Controller, Mohammed Aliyu, said the unit, in less than a month, intercepted some military uniform and various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of over N2 billion.

    Twenty eight suspects, Muhammed said, were arrested in connection with the 89 seizures made by the unit within the period under review.

    According to him, the seized items include: 22 exotic vehicles, 11,303 bags of foreign parboiled rice 2,410 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products, 853 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 245 parcels of Indian Hemp, 4x40ft containers of unprocessed wood, 2,017 bales of -used clothing, 283 cartons of fake various pharmaceutical products, among others.

    The 22 vehicles seized by the officers and men of the unit, include Nine bullet proof vehicles, four Lexus Jeep IBXS70 (2016), 3 Land Cruiser Jeeps (2016) and 2 Mercedes Benz G63‘and 8550 (2014/2015 model.

    Other vehicles include one Toyota Rav4 (2015), three Toyota Hilux (2018), two Toyota H1ghlander(2018), one Toyota Prado (2018) one Toyota Land cruiser (2016), one Toyota Corolla, one Toyota Fortuner (2017), one Toyota Sequoia and one Lexu; RX 350, among others.

    The 22 exotic Vehicles, findings revealed, have a ,duty paid value of N1. 1 billion.

    Some of the vehicles, investigation revealed, were intercepted at Ogere and ljebu Ode expressway, while the bullet Proof Vehicles were trailed and evacuated from some private residence in Victoria Island based on credible information.

    Although, the area comptroller did not give the number of uniforms seized, sources closed to the Command alleged that they were about 30 in number.

    Considering the security challenge in the country, the Customs chief said the military uniform could be used by unpatriotic politicians and other criminals to wreak havoc in any part of the country. He noted that unpatriotic elements now dress like solders and urged Nigerians to support the Service in stemming the cycle of criminalities in the country.

  • Customs apprehend three trailers with smuggled goods

    The Federal Operation Unit Zone ‘B’, of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized three trucks loaded with contraband foreign pasta and rice with Duty Paid Value of N74million.

    The trucks which were loaded with 1,800 cartons of smuggled pasta were said to have been apprehended along Jibiya katsina axis last Monday.

    Parading the the seized contraband goods at the FOU headquarters in Kaduna on Wednesday, the Area Controller of the zone, Mohammed Mustapha, vowed that the Nigeria Customs Service will not relent in its efforts to track down smugglers and bring them to book.

    According to him, “the command seized three trucks including Dangote truck along zaria Kaduna road with 120 bags of 50kg per boiled rice and another Boa truck along same axis with 55 bags of 50kg of Smuggled rice.”

    He said that, as soon as documentation is finalised the seized items would be transferred to the service headquarters in Abuja for necessary action.

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    According to him, that suspected smugglers were arrested in the course of the seizure and are in detention for proper prosecution.

    He however advised smugglers to embrace other legitimate business than the illegal means

    ”We are going to continue with the seizure and they are going to lose ,they should embraced good business. Rice is being produce in all states of the country and Federal Government is trying to diversify and make our economy better and to avoid foreign exchange wasted on imported rice.

    “While on health ground it has been establish that most of the rice brought in through the land boarders have already expired which they usually rebag them in neighbouring countries.” He said.

  • Customs begins manhunt for importers of military camouflage

    The Federal Operations Unit, Zone “C” Owerri, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it had begun a manhunt for members of a syndicate that specialises in illegal importation of military hardware, especially Army camouflage, boots and other accessories, into the country.

    Operatives in the zone said they intercepted a truck conveying over 90 pairs of military uniforms and other items.

    This was the second time within two months that lorries conveying military wears were impounded by NCS officials in the zone.

    It was gathered that some of the seized items were pieces of camouflage jungle hats, 202 pieces of military camouflage round-neck vests, 40 pairs of military camouflage jungle boots, 20 camouflage singlets, 10 water bags and two rolls of plain khaki material.

    Other confiscated items include seven cartons of 402 hydrochloride tramadol tablets and four cartons of tramadol injection.

    Addressing reporters, the Customs Area Controller Mr. Kayode Olusemire said those behind the crime would be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.

    He said the 20-foot truck was intercepted on Onitsha axis of the unit in Anambra State following a tip-off.

    The Area Controller said two suspects were arrested while investigation had begun to apprehend those behind the importation and where it was heading to.

    Olusemire said no group had claimed ownership of the seized consignment, adding that it was premature to suggest anything until the investigation is concluded.

    He added that his men ambushed the lorry at Onitsha and intercepted it.

  • Tin Can Island Customs Command generates N31.8bn in August

    The Tin Can Island Port Customs Command says it generated N31.8 billion in the months of August 2018, higher than N28.6 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2017.

    The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Musa Abdullahi, said this while conducting the Zonal Coordinator Zone “A” Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG), Dahiru Aminu round the projects to be inaugurated on Wednesday in Lagos.

    He said that the figure generated increased by N3.24 billion.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the zonal coordinator inaugurated One Stop Treatment Area, Staff Canteen and a mini football pitch erected at the command.

    According to him, the Tincan Island Port received another boost in terms of infrastructural projects to enhance the operations of the Query & Amendment Department.

    He added that an Ultra Modern Canteen and a Mini Sports Pitch was inaugurated to attract maritime stakeholders.

    Abdullahi said that the projects became imperative following the need to re-position the command to an enviable height in order to add further impetus to its status as the most user friendly port in the sub-region.

    While inaugurating the projects, the zonal coordinator commended the CAC of Tin can command for his thoughtfulness, saying that the facilities would address the incessant complaints of multiplicity of alerts, which hitherto was a recurring decimal.

    “As the name connotes, stakeholders are enjoined to take advantage of this, especially for the facilitation of Legitimate Trade”.

    “The centre will house Query and Amendment (Q & A), Valuation and CIU for the synchronization and harmonization of trade disputes.

    “Management is commending the effort of the controller for embarking on projects with considerable significance to the well being of the officers and men of the command,” Aminu said.

    Earlier, the CAC eulogised the management and staff of Seven Up Bottling Company Ltd. for donating a synthetic Mini Pitch as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    He noted that it would service the sporting needs of both officers and their esteemed stakeholders.

    Abdullahi said the command had also organised a two-day seminar for Association of Nigeria Customs Licence Agents (ANCLA) between Sept. 5 and 6, following their formal request for training on “End User Certificate (EUC) on documentation guideline and requirements.

    He emphasized the importance of EUC as a regulatory document and urged importers and their agents to ensure strict compliance with the processes and procedures in the interest of National Security.

    Abdullahi harped on the need for stakeholders to build effective partnership by supporting and enforcing the Fiscal Policies of the Federal Government in terms of Trade.

    He, however, reiterated his commitment to reward compliant declarants and to sanction complacence. (NAN)

  • Customs rakes in N267b

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, made N267 billion between January and July, it was learnt at the weekend.

    About 343,471 metric tonnes of agricultural products, mineral resources and other exportable products with Free on Board (FoB) value of N57 billion were exported  through the Apapa Port during the period.

    Its outgoing Controller, Mr Jubrin Musa, made these known in Lagos, while handing over to his successor, Abubakar Bashir.

    Musa said the revenue represented 6.9 per cent increase over the N196.7 billion generated in the corresponding period of 2017.

    “The improved revenue profile of the command within the last three months attests to the fact that the NCS is at her best season as far as the statutory role of revenue collection is concerned. Through the NICIS 11, revenue leakages and human related errors and other clearing process abuses are reduced to the barest minimum.

    “We have put in place different strategies for more efficient and seamless cargo clearance. Such reinvigorated strategies include thorough documentary checks, continuous stakeholders engagement for willful compliance and 100 per cent physical examination of cargo.”

    The Customs chief appealed for increased compliance with extant laws guiding export business, assuring that the command would continue to facilitate export trade in line with the Federal Government’s effort at diversifying the economy through non-oil export.

    On anti-smuggling, the Comptroller said nine seizures comprising pharmaceuticals, vegetable oil and other controlled goods, such as 13 containers of tramadol, were made within the period.

     

  • Customs seize N50m worth of rice, vegetable oil, sugar

    The Kano/Jigawa Area Customs Command has intercepted over 2000 bags of foreign rice, 500 contraband kegs of vegetable oil and 1000 bags of sugar worth over N50 million.

    Briefing newsmen at the Command’s headquarters on Thursday, the Customs Comptroller of the Command, Nasiru Ahmed said the operation was jointly carried out by Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Katsina state Command, Comptroller General of Customs Strike Force and Kano/Jigawa Command.

    According to him, the seizure was made within one week of intensive operation and raid by the joint team of the customs service.

    “What we are witnessing today is the seizures of 2000 rice, 500 kegs of vegetable and 1000 bags of sugar, valued at over N50 million, concealed in 17 J5 Peugeot buses. The big seizures were made along Katsina state axis.

    “You and I know what goes into a J5. We have rice, we have sugar, and we have vegetable oil. Like I said, it is a joint assignment, including the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Katsina state Command, Comptroller General of Customs Strike Force, Kano/Jigawa Command is what brought this success.

    “So, you can understand that if there is a team work, there is a better success. So far, no arrest has been made; we are still investigating the movement of the smugglers.”

    Ahmed, however, condemned the rising spate of smuggling through porous borders in the North, describing it as a recurring incident which has continued to sabotage the economy.

    He added that, “the sad part of it is that this is where government is spending money. The Federal Government has been spending huge amount of money on production of rice; and these are the same people again that are smuggling rice.

    “And apart from this, what we are seeing are bags of rice—do you know whether there other things inside the bags of rice, because arms and ammunitions can be concealed inside the bags of rice, tramadol can be hidden inside the bags of rice and sugar. We all know the dangers of tramadol to the youths and other hapless Nigerians today.

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    “So, I advise these smugglers to desist from these unpatriotic and criminal activities because right now, we are very much ahead of them. We are going to start targeting the kingpins.

    “Our problem is no longer the people carrying the rice on transit, we will go after the kingpins, we will locate their warehouses where they are keeping these consignments and raid them.

    “We will surely go after them because this is disservice to the nation. This is a disservice to the northern region; they are killing business in the North.

    “Government cannot come and do all this simple things for us, government can only give us incentives. Government can only encourage us with loans which is available at five per cent.

    “All these things are in place and somebody is smuggling rice, somebody is smuggling sugar. They don’t want to patronize BUA and Dangote sugar; and these are people employing our youths in this country. Now, the question is this, must you take our hard-earned foreign currency to other countries, the answer is no!

    “This is the only country we have and we must make it work. And the only way we can make it work is that everybody must contribute his or her own quota to make the country great, and to support the current government.”