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  • Customs arrests three fake job syndicates

    Customs arrests three fake job syndicates

    The Calabar Free Trade Zone in Cross River and Akwa Ibom Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested three suspected job syndicates.

    The Customs Area Controller in charge of Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command, Mrs. Patience Burromvyat, said the suspects were arrested on February 24 in Calabar.

    She said the suspects were nabbed for issuing fake Customs recruitment letters to the public and swindling them.

    Burromvyat added that the arrest was made possible through a tip-off by the public and surveillance by officers.

    “Their method of operation involves opening a fake website on which they advertise recruitment purportedly by NCS to attract job seekers who are duped.

    “I take this opportunity to advise the public, especially job seekers, to beware of Internet fraudsters who ask for money to give jobs.

    “Recruitment into the Nigerian Customs Service will be advertised in the media at the appropriate time by the headquarters,’’ she said.

    The controller said the suspects would be arraigned after investigation, to act as a deterrent to others.

    Effiong Umoh, whom the NCS identified as the principal suspect, told NAN in an interview that he got the link through a friend on Facebook.

    He said he was looking for a job when he was lured into the act.

    “I got the forms from a man I met on Facebook. He gave me the forms through one of his boys in Calabar. He even promised that we would go to Port Harcourt for the recruitment.

    “I have not met the guy; I only had transaction with his boys in Calabar. I have not given out letters to anybody.

    “He told us that we will give him N280,000 when he gives us the job. His name is Adamu, I have his account number and other details on my phone.

    “He told me that the NCS was doing replacement, which was what attracted me to do business with him,’’ Umoh said.

  • Customs impounds 88 packs of cannabis sativa in Ogun – Official

    Customs impounds 88 packs of cannabis sativa in Ogun – Official

    Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Command, has seized 88 packs of Cannabis sativa also known as weeds and 42 compressed packs of books on Ihunbo-Okeodon, Idiroko road.

    Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in a statement made available to our reporter on Monday in Ota, Ogun.

    Maiwada said that with the help of credible intelligence the NCS officials also seized four bales of second hand clothing and shoes suspected to have been used to conceal compressed packs of cannabis.

    According to him, Mr Seni Madugu, the Area Controller of NCS, has directed that the seized items should be handed over to the NDLEA, Idiroko command, for investigation in line with the synergy between sister security agencies working at the border.

    Read Also: Customs seizes four containers of fake drugs

    “The NDLEA, Idiroko Special Command, field tested the aforementioned items using the United Nations Test Kit and confirmed that the items were positive for Cannabis Sativa and weighed 77 Kilogrammes,” he said.

    He also described as disturbing the rate, desperation and determination by smugglers to exploit all avenues to smuggle such unhealthy items into the society.

    Maiwada, however, appealed to all patriotic Nigerians to cooperate and support the security agencies in the fight against smugglers in order to be ahead of them.

  • Ogun customs intercepts N168m smuggled goods

    Ogun customs intercepts N168m smuggled goods

    Smuggled goods worth over N168 million including a brand new Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle 2018 model worth N51 million, thousands of bags of rice among others have been intercepted by the Ogun State Customs Command.

    Speaking with news men at the Idiroko Area Customs Command in Ipokia Local Government Area, the Controller of Customs in Ogun State, Mr Sani Madugu said the his men and officers would sustain the current tempo of the anti-smuggling campaign of the command.

    ” It is pertinent to inform you that within the last two weeks, we have sustained the tempo promised in our anti-smuggling drive. During the period under review, the tireless efforts by the officers and men of the Command yielded a total of 13 second hand (Tokunbo) vehicles;12 means of conveyance, 21 motorcycles, 1,168 bags of rice(50 kg each), 221 kegs of vegetable oil(25 liters), five sacks of second hand shoes and two sacks of second hand bags with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N153,858,579,153 at Idiroko axis  of Ogun Customs Command.

    ”Most spectacular among the seizures is brand new Range Rover SUV (Velar) 2018 model seized and tagged ”the seizure of the month, the said vehicle has  DPV of N51,285,154.”

    The vehicle, according Madugu was intercepted from suspected smugglers who fled on sighting customs men around the Ifo axis of the State.

    ” Despite the aforementioned event and given the tottering nature of the operational environment, we will not relent, we will continue to stand firm and resolute in discharging the statutory responsibilities bestowed upon us as a service with dedication, selflessness and uncompromising commitment.”

    ‘’In spite of the incessant harassment of our men by the smugglers, we will not relent our efforts and we will not be intimidated. We are therefore calling on well-meaning Nigerians to support us in this anti-smuggling campaign.”

  • Customs seizes four containers of fake drugs

    Customs seizes four containers of fake drugs

    •One arrested

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted four containers of fake drugs and arrested one suspect in Lagos.

    Tramadol hydrochloride, Collstop chlorpheniramine maleate capsules, Dobumol Anagestic, Col-caps capsules, Rally Extra and Chest and Lungs tables, among others, were seized by officers of Apapa command.

    The fake drugs, according to the Area Controller, Jubrin Musa, were shipped into the country in MRSU 1637149, MRKU 6196764, MRSU 3516384 and MRKY 6058282.

    The Duty Paid Value of the four containers is over N110 million.

    The unit, it was learnt, increased the tempo of its seizures based on information and intelligence report given to the comptroller by the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) officers attached to him.

    Addressing reporters in Lagos yesterday, Musa said 936 cartons of tramadol hydrochloride tablet (225mg), 56 cartons of collstop chlorpheiramine malete capsules (4mg), 368 cartons of tramadol capsules BP (130MG), 160 cartons of Dobumol Anagestic, 554 cartons of tramadol capsules BP (120mg), 330 cartons of Ibramol and 453 cartons of Rally Extra (50mg), among others, were illegally imported into the country.

    “The containers were examined and found to contain pharmaceutical products\drugs, which are controlled and regulated from importation into Nigeria.

    “Consequent upon this and worried by the present level of insecurity, one wonders what negative impact would have resulted in the aftermath of these drugs finding their way into the larger society.

    “These could have further aggravated the already tense situation in the country. One person was arrested in connection to these seizures and has been granted bail, while investigation is on,” he said.

    Musa said the command generated N31.1 billion last month, as against N25.9 billion during the period last year.

     

  • LCCI faults Customs indiscriminate invoice valuation queries

    LCCI faults Customs indiscriminate invoice valuation queries

    The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern over indiscriminate valuation queries of the invoice of imported items by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    A communique issued at the end of its Council meeting in Lagos called for a credible ground to dispute the value of invoice on imports.

    The group added that most of the prices are global and are easily verifiable online. It regretted that in most cases, the actions of the NCS have no bearing with these global prices.

    The communique endorsed its Director-General, Muda Yusuf, explained that prices vary across different regions of the world, lamenting that there is no dependable dispute resolution framework in place to ensure speedy resolution of such disputes.

    He said: “There should be an independent dispute resolution mechanism in place that could resolve valuation disputes within 48 hours because of the cost implications to importers of the delays.  These include demurrage, penalties, interest costs on loans etc.  The current arrangement where appeals are made to the customs headquarters is not in consonance with the principle of natural justice. The Nigeria Customs should not be a judge in its own case.

    “In many of the instances, the actions of the NCS have no bearing with these global prices. Prices vary across different regions of the world. Regrettably there is no dependable dispute resolution framework in place to ensure speedy resolution of such disputes,” the communique said.

    The Council urged the Presidency, Minister of Finance and Customs Comptroller-General to look urgently into this issue. “There should be an independent dispute resolution mechanism in place that could resolve valuation disputes within 48 hours because of the cost implications to importers of the delays.  These include demurrage, penalties, interest costs on loans etc.  The current arrangement whereby appeals are made to the customs headquarters is not consonance with the principle of natural justice,” LCCI said.

    The Council also noted that the board of some MDAs critical to the smooth functioning of the economy are yet to be constituted.

    “For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), suspended its first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in 2018 scheduled for 22 – 23rd January due to the bank’s inability to form a quorum as a result of non-confirmation of the newly appointed MPC members by the Senate.  Also, the board of NAICOM and PENCOM are not in place.  This situation is beginning to take its toll on the economy,” LCCI siad, urging the Presidency and the National Assembly to put the interest of the economy above their differences and constitute board for all the MDAs without further delay.

  • Customs seizes fake drugs

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted four container loads of fake drugs and arrested one suspect in Lagos.

    Tramadol hydrochloride, Collstop chlorpheniramine maleate capsules, Dobumol Anagestic, Col-caps capsules, Rally Extra and Chest and Lungs tables among others were seized by officers of Apapa Customs command.

    The fake drugs, according to the Area Controller of the command, Jubrin Musa were shipped into the country in MRSU 1637149, MRKU 6196764, MRSU 3516384 and MRKY 6058282.

    The Duty Paid Value of the four containers is over N110million.

    The unit, it was learnt, has increased the tempo of its seizures based on  information and intelligent report given to the comptroller by the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) officers attached to him.

  • Customs cries out as smugglers machete officer in Ogun

    Customs cries out as smugglers machete officer in Ogun

    •Says criminals take officers’ arms for granted

    the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday raised the alarm as suspected smugglers severely cut the left arm of one of its officers in Ifonyintedo axis of Ogun State Customs Command.

    Its Public Relations Officer (PRO) Joseph Attah told our correspondent in Abuja the officer was attacked last Wednesday while in an operation to seize smuggled vehicles in the creek of the community.

    Describing the officer simply as an Assistant Superintendent, Attah said he was one of the operatives acting on the intelligence to prevent smuggling of vehicles through the creek.

    His words: “The case in point happened exactly at Ifonyintedo axis of Ogun State Command. There is a particular creek there.

    “Our operatives, based on credible information that some vehicles were being smuggled through the creek went there but only to be visited with violence.

    “Some of these smugglers pay some youths, arm them to hide in the bush and descend on our officers.

    “It was a life threatening injury that was sustained by this officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs.

    “His left hand was badly macheted very close to his shoulder. He is in the hospital where doctors are battling to see if they can save him from amputation.”

    He noted in situations as this, the law allows customs officers bearing arms to use reasonable force but criminals take the officers for granted since the management urged them to be cautious with arms.

    Lamenting, the PRO said that “a situation where somebody with a machete will move straight with somebody who is bearing firearm without the fear of being shot clearly shows that the exercise of caution on the part of the customs operative is being taken for granted.”

    According to him, the officers succeeded in apprehending the vehicles, which they took to a Customs station.

    He said that investigation into the incident has commenced.

     

  • Suspected smugglers hack Ogun customs officer during ambush

    Suspected smugglers hack Ogun customs officer during ambush

    A customs officer, Musa Muhammed Maigari is in a critical condition at the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, after he was attacked with machetes by suspected smugglers during an ambush in Idogo area of Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    According to the spokesman of Ogun State Customs Command, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada, the ambush happened around the Igbeji River in the Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis during a joint operation by men of the Command and operatives of the Federal Operations Unit ‘A’ in pursuit of car smugglers.

    Maigari who suffered deep machete cuts on his left arm was first taken to the Idiroko General Hospital from where he was transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Yaba, Lagos, where doctors are battling to save his life.

    The Nation gathered that a smuggled Toyota Highlander was however intercepted by the Customs team during the operation.

    In a statement, Maiwada said:” On Wednesday February 7, at about 8 am and-9 am, a joint patrol team of Crack Squad and FOU ‘A’led by CSC Abdullahi. M; Ogbonna A.E; Musa T; Habu .I; Musa.M.M; C.A Ahmed and others went on information patrol . In the process, ambush was laid at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis of the Command. This led to successful interception of a Toyota Highlander with chasis number: STDJKRFHESO59484.

    ”An officer Musa Miagari of FOU ‘A’ sustained a life-threatening injury (having been butchered with a machete) from the suspected armed smugglers. The officer was taken to Idiroko Gneral Hospital for preliminary treatment and has since been transferred to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Lagos, for in-depth treatment. The team managed to escape from the scene and brought the said vehicle to sentry at Idiroko for custody and further investigation.

  • 10 held as Customs seizes N1.6b contraband

    10 held as Customs seizes N1.6b contraband

    CONTRABAND worth N1.6billion were impounded last month by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Area Controller Mohammed Uba said yesterday.

    He told reporters at the unit’s Ikeja, Lagos command that among the seized items were 31 assorted vehicles.

    Ten suspects were arrested.

    The vehicles, according to the controller, include four Rolls Royce, one Porche Panamera, one Jaguar, one Bentley, two Lexus Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), two G wagons, one Toyota Land Cruiser, five Toyota Corolla and seven Mercedes Benz.

    Uba said his men seized about 14 trailer bags of smuggled parboiled rice, with a duty paid value (DPV) of over N103 million.

    Other seized items  include 835,000 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 2,208 pieces of used tyres, 1,652 cartons of frozen poultry products, 10 bags of Indian Hemp, 500 used compressors,  and 159 bales of used clothing,  among others.

    It was gathered that some of the vehicles were intercepted on Ijebu-Ode Expressway, while others were brought into the country through unapproved routes.

    Some were recovered when customs men raided some shops in Park View Estate, Victoria Island, Banana Island, Alhaji Bankole Crescent, Ikeja and Tola Adewunmi Street, Maryland.

    It was gathered that some of the dealers in Banana Island and Maryland used the number plates on some of the new vehicles as a decoy to beat customs’ checks. But unknown to them, customs officials had been monitoring their movement for days before swooping on them.

    “We urge the owners of these vehicles to come forward with valid customs clearance documents otherwise they will be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the Federal Government in line with laws of the land. For the avoidance of doubt, our action is in-line with the provisions of Sections 147 of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (power to search premises), Section 158 of CEMA, Cap 45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria (power to patrol freely),” he said

    He added that two containers no. GATU132358/4 and TCLU172184/3 were seized for carrying 537 cartons of Indian Whisky as against yeast declared in the single goods declaration (SGD), and the second for carrying 60 pieces of used chest freezers and 570 bundles of gas hose as against condenser for steam polysomic.C

  • Customs gets ‘strike force’

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali, has set up a strike force to combat smuggling.

    The force, it was learnt, has been posted to the Customs four zonal offices in Lagos, Kaduna, Bauchi and Port Harcourt.

    Part of the force’s mandate, according to Customs National Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, is to check officers’ activities.

    He told The Nation that the force was set up to fight smuggling.

    “The team is empowered to enter any command system on suspicion of fraudulent activities taking place or about to take place with a view to blocking all revenue leakages from the system.

    “The team is allowed to partake in the examination of any suspected container generated by the ICT,” he explained.

    Attah added that the team would ensure that all unutilised Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) bill of lading, as well as air way bills was accounted for.

    “They are to monitor the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) in order to checkmate capital flight and PAAR merchandise.

    “This is what they are expected to do, their operation is fashioned this way to be in line with the demand of the executive order on the Ease of Doing Business,’’ Attah said.

    He noted that the strike force would erect checkpoints rather than roam the highways except on credible information by the surveillance operatives of the Service.

    “The strike force will treat the information and return to base. It is the desire of the CGC to sanitise the system for optimum performance.

    “This particular strategy will enhance free flow of goods on our high ways.

    “No hither land or highway patrol by the team, the surveillance team will work for 24 hours and their work is not intended to impede free flow of goods,’’ he added.

    According to him, the team will be under the co-ordination of a Deputy Comptroller assisted by four Assistant Comptrollers of Customs.