The Nation Newspaper

Tag: customs

  • Customs seizes over N3b goods

    Customs seizes over N3b goods

    In a major operations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has seized goods worth over N3 billion, serving smuggles’ notice that it is no longer business-as-usual.

    The seized items include three new Toyota Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), 4,911 bags of 50kg rice, 15,048 cartons of frozen products, 1,884 kegs of vegetable oils and 17 trucks of unprocessed teak, among others.

    Also seized by the NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, were unprocessed teak meant for export. Only processed teak can be exported.

    The market value of the items, sources at the Ministry of Finance said, is over N3 billion.

    The zone’s Area Controller, Umar Mohammed Dahiru, said the latest followed ban on rice importation through the land borders.

    He gave the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the rice, frozen products, vegetable oil and others apart from the teak wood as N572,100,700.

    Dahiru said that the agent had been asked to produce the SUVs’ papers to enable the Customs determine their status.

    The controller said most of the seized  frozen products were concealed with frozen fish to confuse his men. In other instances, cooling vans were used to conceal the products, he said.

    On the visit of the Customs Comptroller-General, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) to the zone, Dahiru said it was to strengthen operational ties with the critical stakeholders.

    “The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) and his team are working tirelessly despite the present harsh economic challenges to re-position the Service for greater efficiency and functionality.

    “In area of logistic support, I would like to appreciate the CGC and his Management for providing necessary equipment which has enabled us to frontally deal with smuggling. Just recently we took delivery of new weapons – AK 47 rifles and ammunition to complement those in our armoury. It has really gone a long way in giving us a comparative advantage against these economic saboteurs.

    “The Unit is working in tandem with the change mantra and ideology of the present management to ensure that all areas of revenue leakages are blocked, using scientific methods. These smugglers can be very daring because most times you see them welding sophisticated weapons, but the cheering news is that we have superior fire power and are always steps ahead of them. We need the partnership of all Nigerians through credible intelligence to help the Unit in its campaign against smuggling,” he said.

    The controller promised that the Customs Community Relations (CCR) would be revived for the education and sensitisation of the populace, particularly those dwelling in the communities where smugglers operate.

    On trade facilitation, the Controller said Nigeria as a signatory to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) treaty on trade facilitation/liberalisation could not contravine the treaty.

    “The Service is a compliant organisation and we are determined to deliver services in line with World Customs Organisation (WCO) standards, because we are key elements of WCO.

     

     

  • Customs to investigate fire incident at Ikeja warehouse

    Customs to investigate fire incident at Ikeja warehouse

    The Commandant in charge of Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos,Comptroller Kunle Oyeleke, on Saturday said that the service would investigate the fire incident which burnt the warehouse containing seized goods.

    Oyeleke stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the fire destroyed a building housing a warehouse where seized goods worth millions of naira were kept.

    Oyeleke told NAN that the raging fire started at 10 p.m. on Friday, adding that the cause of the fire had not been known.

    “The building isused for storage of impounded goods by the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    “We cannot give the cost of properties destroyed by the fire for now, ’’ Oyeleke said.

    The controller commended the efforts of officers of the Lagos State Fire Service for their quick response in putting off the fire.

    NAN reports that the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasaq Fadipe, confirmed that the fire engulfed a building in the training college..

    According to Fadipe, the upstairs of the building is used for lectures, while the ground floor is used as a warehouse for seized goods.

  • Customs revenue drops by N2.7bn at Tin-Can Port

    Customs revenue drops by N2.7bn at Tin-Can Port

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Command, had a revenue shortfall of N2.7 billion in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the corresponding period of 2015.

    The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Chris Osunkwo, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Osunkwo, in a breakdown, said that the command generated N58.9 billion in the first quarter of 2016, adding that it generated N61.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2015.

    NAN reports that the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Retired Col. Hameed Ali, on April 4, at a Consultative Forum between Customs and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), decried the revenue shortfall.

    Ali attributed the shortfall in Customs revenue to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) policies,

    He said that the service, as a whole, had a revenue shortfall of N230 billion in the last quarter of 2015.

    Osunkwo, however, said that the command made some seizures along with the revenue collected in the period under review.

    He said that in January the command seized 60 cartons of centre tables, 30 cartons of cooking oil, 60 cartons of fruit juice, and 25 cartons of spaghetti, all with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.6million.

    Osunkwo said that the seizures in February included: 50 bundles of used tyres, 15 cartons of table water and 10 cartons of vegetable oil, 11 bags of used clothes and three bags of used shoes, all with a DPV of N600,000.

    He said that in March, the command seized 70 cartons of tissue paper, 70 cartons of nylon, 24 bags of fruit juice, 21 bags of used shoes and a woman’s bag, all with a DPV of N571, 000.

     

  • Customs men kill suspected armed robber

    A suspected armed robber, Sunday Joseph was yesterday killed by Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) operatives, attached to the Federal Operations Unit in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Joseph was killed on Apena Street, off Unity Road, after he was caught hopping from one room to the other, stealing peoples’ valuables.

    He was said to have gained access into his victim’s homes through the roof, the same means through which he attempted to escape before he was gunned down.

    It was learnt that one of his victims caught him in his apartment and raised the alarm, attracting neighbours, who wanted to lynch him before he jumped on the rooftop.

    The patrolling Customs officials were said to have fired at him when he refused to surrender.

    The state police command’s spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said the incident was reported at the station by Julius Obasohan.

    She said: “Julius identified the suspect as Sunday Joseph, 32, when he came to the station and reported.

    “He reported that Sunday was found jumping from one roof to another after trying to steal from some houses. Some unknown Custom men came and shot the suspect to death.”

  • Customs boss promises optimum performance

    Customs boss promises optimum performance

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ahmed Hameed Ali (rtd) has promised to increase the performance of officers and men of the service to meet the revenue target set by President Mohammadu Buhari.

    The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the NCS were given the mandate to generate the major part of the over N6.08 trillion 2016 budget  to sustain the nation’s economy following the fall in crude oil price.

    Ali gave the assurance during his tour of the Oyo/Osun Command of the Service yesterday where he visited Saki , Oyo State Office of the Command to access the facilities  at the border town.

    Accompanied by the Controller of Oyo/Osun Command, Mr Temitope Ogunkua and other senior officers from the Headquarters, Abuja , the Customs chief said to achieve the mandate, the welfare of the officers and men of the Service must be improved.

    He was optimistic that both the FIRS and the NCS could achieve the revenue target of the nation ,

    but emphasised the need for staff motivation and provision of infrastructure.

    He said: “We expect nothing but the optimum in  terms of performance; we are working assidously towards increasing our performance.

  • Customs seizes N360m goods

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, has seized N360 million worth of goods.

    The goods were seized following a fresh approach adopted by the zone in its operations, it was learnt.

    Its key performance index (KPI), it was learnt, is based on the number of  seizures being made by the enforcement arm of the service.

    The unit, findings revealed, has raised the standard of its anti-smuggling campaign and was evident from the quality and quantity of seizures made in recent times.

    When The Nation visited the Government Warehouse, where the seized goods are kept, the volume of the seizure confirmed the unit’s claim.

    The seized items included 3,374 bags of various sizes of parboiled rice, with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N22,093,500; 11,854 cartons of poultry products  with a DPV of N64,011,600.00;  35 vehicles; 2,003 jerry cans of vegetable oil and assorted general merchandise, including newand used textiles materials; new and used footwears; new and used hand bags; used tyres; electrical pad; fridges; furniture; soaps and detergents among others.

    The new approach of combating smugglers, it gathered, was introduced after the regular meetings the Comptroller-General, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) and the management team had with a few Controllers of Federal Operations Units, the Eastern/Western marine commands, the Customs Intelligence Unit and valuation officers.

    The approach, according to findings, has enhanced and strengthened surveillance in all approved and unapproved routes used by the smugglers to circumvent the Federal Government’s policy on trade.

    Speaking with The Nation after the facility tour of the government warehouse and workshop area of the unit, Umar Mohammed Dahiru said his officers and men are determined to suppress smuggling in their area of operation.

    He said that the Customs management and the Comptroller-General are fully committed to ensuring that the service does not renege in its core functions of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling and facilitation of legitimate trade and provision of security along the waterways and the border amidst other adhoc assignments.

    “The latest approach became necessary in view of the fact that there is a compelling need to design appropriate templates to fight smuggling in view of its devastating effect on the nation’s economy.

    “There have been regular meetings between our Comptroller-General and some selected Controllers of FOUs, the Eastern/Western marine commands, the Customs Intelligent Unit as well as valuation units. These meeting were usually convened to find practical solution to some infractions, which do not augur well for the socio-economic development of our country.

    “The service, more than ever before, is looking inwards in conjunction with critical stakeholders to find a lasting solution to areas where revenue is suspected to be lost with a view to blocking them. Despite the concerted effort of our officers and men, the  Service cannot claim to have all the solutions because no country in the world can claim to have completely eradicated smuggling,” Dahiru said.

    The Controller told The Nation that a truck load of fairly used tyres, consisting 1,198 pieces was intercepted a few days ago, by the Controller’s Monitoring Team ‘B’ Idiroko Axis, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Jatau Micah.

    The seizure, he said, came as a result of the painstaking effort of the team and their renewed vigour and enhanced surveillance. The Duty Paid Value of the used tyres N6,469,200 and they have been deposited at the government warehouse of the unit.

    Reacting to questions regarding Presidential directive on sending food items to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, the Controller confirmed that the Unit have started complying, he, however, stated that such items were usually subjected to test through the NAFDAC to ensure that they are good for human consumption.

    He, however, vowed that the service will continue to perform its core responsibility and lives up to government’s expectations.

    Dahiru appealed to Nigerians to support the service in its fight against smuggling.

  • Customs seizes N663m contraband in Imo

    Customs seizes N663m contraband in Imo

    The Zone C of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has said it made 70 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N663,089,296 in the quarter of this year (January to March).

    NCS Unit Comptroller, Mr. Haruna Mamudu, addressed reporters yesterday in Owerri, where he displayed the impounded items and the trucks used for conveying the suspected contraband.

    He said the underpayment from the seizure was N214,959,353.

    Mamudu said 34 suspects were arrested for the alleged crime within the period under review, adding that 18 cases from the seizures were pending in the court.

    The Unit Comptroller listed the contraband as: 44 vehicles, 380 cartons of article of plastics, 1,656 pieces of used tyres; 3,614 cartons of imported frozen poultry products as well as 818 cartons of foreign soap and detergent.

    Others include 181 bales of fabrics, 737 pieces of bags and suitcases, 85 bundles of footwear as well as 120 packages of furniture and 906 cartons of unregistered drugs.

    He said the contraband were seized on the Benin axis, Agbor, Onitsha-Asaba, Owerri, Calabar and Aba-Eleme axis.

    The Unit Comptroller said over 19 trucks comprising 50 kilogrammes of rice, which were also impounded by his men, had been detained for further investigation.

    He warned that there were no more hiding places for smugglers because the NCS would flush them out.

    Mamudu said: “Our men are now better trained, well equipped and motivated to deal with the nefarious activities of smugglers who have continued to inflict a devastating blow on the nation’s economy.”

  • Customs re-imposes restriction on rice importation

    Customs re-imposes restriction on rice importation

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has re-introduced the restriction order it placed on the importation of rice through land borders across the country.

    Its Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) gave  approval for the reversal of an earlier policy of October last year which allowed rice imports through land borders, once appropriate duty and charges were paid.

    At a review session with Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal Operation Units (FOUs) in Abuja, the NCS noted that dwindling revenue from rice imports through the land borders do not match the volume of rice that landed in neighboring ports. Rather, reports from Border Commands indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.

    NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr.  Wale Adeniyi, in statement yesterday explained that the implementation of the restriction order got off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October last year. However, revenue started dwindling from January this year with importers blaming access to foreign exchange (forex) as major impediments. During the five-month period when the importation was allowed, a total of 24.992 metric tonnes of rice valued at N 2, 335,131,093  was imported through the land borders.

  • Customs seize 450 bags of rice, 5000 used tyres

    Customs seize 450 bags of rice, 5000 used tyres

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, yesterday intercepted imported goods worth over N100million, comprising 450 (50 kg)bags of rice, 290  (25 litres) gallons of vegetable oil and over 5,000 used tyres.

    Addressing a briefing at the Customs headquarters, Bodija, Ibadan, yesterday the NCS Area Controller, Tope Ogunkua, said the seizure followed several weeks of vigilance.

    Ogunkua said the items were intercepted at Osogbo in Osun State; Igboho/Adafila and Igbeti in Oyo State on different days.

    The last 20 bags of rice were seized inside the smugglers’ dump site in the forest at Igbeti.

    A Toyota Dyna Truck said to have been smuggled into the country without payment of duty was also intercepted on March 21 in Fiditi, Oyo State.

    A Volvo Truck, suspected to be carrying over 5,000 used tyres and other goods, was also intercepted on March 21.

    Ogunkua added that the duty paid value of the seizures made this month stands at N19,744,965.

    “The command has also intensified its sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns, which has enhanced the level of voluntary payment of duty on imported vehicles from stakeholders.

    “This month alone 110 vehicles paid duty through the command, which generated N15,922,101 to the Federal Government’s coffers,” he said.

    Ogunkua, however, warned importers and the public that the importation and payment of duty on rice through the land border has been banned by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali, adding that importation of rice through seaports has not been banned.

    “This is with effect from Friday. All those who have their duty already paid for the imported rice within the Oyo/Osun Area Command border entry point are advised to evacuate same on or before the said date or risk the rice being seized,” he stated.

  • Customs seizes N9.9m poultry products, fish

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1,263 cartons of poultry products and frozen fish worth over N9.9 million.

    The items, concealed in a Volvo truck, were seized by the Headquarters Special Assignment Team ‘C’, Ogun State Axis. The team was led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Shittu Almarof.

    The Volvo truck with registration number LND 298 XN was intercepted for random check on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.

    Almarof told The Nation that the occupants of the truck gave themselves away by their suspicious behaviour.

    “Therefore, a casual search was conducted on the truck even though the occupants had earlier told the team that the truck was carrying frozen fish.

    “The truck was brought down to the headquarters of Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja-Lagos, where physical examination confirmed that the truck carried 785 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry products concealed with 478 cartons of frozen fish.

    “The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the items is N9,975,000.

    “We are working assiduously and in close collaboration with other anti-smuggling outfits in the zone to deal very decisively with the hydra- headed monster of smuggling. We have the responsibility to complement the effort of allied teams in the Zone in view of the need to frontally tackle smuggling within the South-West and its environ,” he said.

    Almarof reiterated his determination to rid the zone of smugglers with the collaboration of communities on unapproved routes, who information on their activities.

    “The Headquarters  Special Assignment Team is doing everything  with other anti-smuggling units namely the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ and state commands to ensure the protection of the interest of local investors in the agric sector and other critical areas.

    “We were given a specific mandate at inception to aggressively patrol all flanks and flashpoints within the Zone and ensure total blockade of such identified areas. The capacity of the team has been strengthened to meet the exigencies of the moment”. If you look at the parameters, you will agree with me that the heat is on these smugglers and we will do everything humanly possible to pre-empt them with a view to wreaking havoc.

    “It is on the basis of this, that we request the support of patriotic informants to avail the service and the team of genuine information that can help us track them. I wish to reiterate at this juncture that the task of eradicating smuggling within our domain remains the responsibility of all Nigerians and we must not renege on this responsibility, because posterity and history will not be fair to us if we fail to do the needful.

    “We must realise that we have a duty to safeguard the economy from the hands of economic saboteurs who are bent on destroying our economy and that is why we commended the team leader, Ismaila Umar for the good work,” he said.

    He promised to work in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) and his management which is anchored on integrity, transparency and accountability. He appreciated the support of the NCS Management and vowed not to let them down.