The Nation Newspaper

Tag: goods

  • Fire guts goods worth millions

    Fire yesterday gutted the Police Officer’s Wives Association (POWA) shopping complex on Bende Road, Umuahia.

    Traders lost goods worth millions of naira in the early morning inferno.

    Nobody died in the fire, which was said to have started from one of the shops upstairs in a complex close to the Umuahia Police Area Command and Central Police Station.

    One of the traders said the fire started about 3am, adding that he was alerted by another trader and he and his wife rushed to the scene.

    He said when they arrived, fire fighters were already there, “but it is unfortunate that they did not stay up to two minutes because they complained that their vehicle was cutting gas.”

    The trader said the fire fighters left, promising to return, but they did not come back.

    He added that if they had returned, some of the shops and goods would have been salvaged.

    The source said: “If we have committed fire fighters in this town, some of these shops would have been saved. The attitude of the fire fighters leaves much to be desired.”

    Twenty-two shops located upstairs were destroyed.

    Although the cause of the fire was unknown, sources attributed it to electrical fault in one of the shops upstairs.

    One of the traders, a nursing mother, was said to have stocked her shop on Monday, a few hours before the fire. She reportedly lost everything.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident.

    He said the command was investigating the cause of the fire.

     

  • Traders grieve over burnt goods

    Traders grieve over burnt goods

    Fires during the festivities have razed stalls in parts of Aba, throwing the traders into grief. Articles estimated at over N205 million went up in smoke at Ehi Road by Old Court as well as Dan Fodio by Dan Dikko Road in Abia State’s commercial city. Investigations were still on as some described the inferno as mysterious.

    The Nation gathered that the two fire incidents occurred at midnight when the traders were either at home or had travelled to their villages for the Yuletide.

    Abia State Fire Chief, Mr. Victor Gbaruko confirmed the two incidents, saying his men were still investigating even as added that fluctuating electrical current and fireworks may be to blame.

    Gbaruko said his men who went to put out the fire were able to save property valued at over N800million at Ehi Road while the salvaged at Dan Fodio were estimated to be up to N250m.

    He said, “We have attended to about 10 fire incidents between the first of January till today (yesterday) and we are still counting.”

    The fire chief who confirmed another fire outbreak at Jubilee road during last week within the commercial metropolis said no life was lost in three fire incidents and however reiterated the warning for people to avoid keeping combustible or any material capable of igniting fire in their homes, offices or shops.

    He also advised that owners of warehouses should make their warehouses airy to allow circulation of oxygen to avoid possible of fire outbreak as a result of change in weather temperature or instantaneous ignition of temperature.

    Our reporter who visited the scenes of the infernos reports that traders whose shops were affected were lamenting over their losses as some of them who spoke amidst tears said that they lost everything they had in their chops to the fire even before the arrival of the firefighters.

    One of the affected shop owners at Ehi road, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwaokike a chemical dealer said though he had almost exhausted his goods, he lost over N300, 000 in the process.

    “I am expecting my goods to come in anytime soon, the few I lost were about N300, 000. Nobody saved anything. All our goods were gone in the fire. I was at home when I got a call that our shop is on fire and by the time I got here, just like other neighbours, all our goods have been consumed, no pin was saved”, Nwaokike narrated.

    Another shop owner who spoke in tears said he lost all he has laboured for in the past 15 years and wonder how he is going to cope in the face of austerity and hardship, even as he stated that he has been the breadwinner of the family.

    The source disclosed that a neighbour who just offloaded a trailer load of chemicals could also not save anything even as he stated that there was no electricity supply in the entire building and wondered how and where the fire could have emanated from.

    However, it was gathered that another fire incident also broke out near Bakassi Shoe Plaza at Ariaria International Market at the weekend, though information about the incident remained sketchy as at the time this report a source at the Aba Fire Service Station confirmed it and said that they were yet to ascertain the cause of the fire and estimate of property damaged.

  • Home made goods yet to attract shoppers

    Home made goods yet to attract shoppers

    Despite efforts to promote made-in-Nigeria goods, most shoppers with eclectic taste, still appear to have insatiable appetite for foreign-made ones, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN

    It is anybody’s guess why most  shoppers prefer foreign-made goods to the ones produced locally. But Femi Akins, an integrated marketing communication expert, offers an explanation.

    According to him, a constellation of factors really do influence consumer buying behaviour for the most part, chief among which is taste.

    Waxing philosophical, Akins said faced with a Hobson’s choice; any shopper would go for what assuage his taste and nothing more.

    Beyond taste, what other factors dictate buying? For the avoidance of doubt and confusion, a short anecdote suffices.

    Placed closely on a supermarket shelf are Mamador, Chrisco and Wesson vegetable oil, My My and Golgate toothpaste, Weetabix, Cabin and Okin biscuit but a shopper like Chiamaka is faced with the dilemma of making choices between our indigenous products and foreign/imported products .

    She, however, wants to know what should inform her choice of grocery when she visits a supermarket. She met a grocery expert and owner of a renowned outfit, the Chief Executive Officer of Delightsome stores in Gbagada Lagos, Mrs. Modupe Shopeju, who educated her on the various factors she should consider whenever she visits a grocery store and need to make choices between local and foreign goods.

    Hear Shopeju’s idea of a good product irrespective of origin. “When an item is well-packed, when it is of a good quality, when it has a good taste, and generally if it can give a consumer value for his/her money such product can pass for a preferred choice always,” she says matter-of-factly.

    Shopeju however, admits that there are some consumers who would choose indigenous products anytime, even if they fall within the same price range with foreign ones, just as she also thinks more people patronise foreign products even if they are three times more expensive than the local ones.

    Having listened to the expert, Chiamaka’s ability to be able to make preferred choices between indigenous goods and foreign goods has improved as she only buys foreign cereals which she believes is of a better quality.

    “Kellogg’s cornflakes taste better than the Milo cornflakes, Nasco flakes and Good Morning flakes. Though more expensive, it gives good value for the money I use in buying it.”

    In his opinion, George Ukwunna, Branch Manager of Apapa Shoprite, believes price is considered as one of the most important factors affecting the consumers’ perception of a product.

    “Once a consumer perceives a price difference between items whether it is local or foreign, price differentials begin to affect their preference for local goods. In other words, if they notice that local items are more expensive than foreign ones, they go for the foreign ones.”

    He added that a high-priced item may be perceived high in quality because of the image created by manufacturers through advertising. Similarly, a global product may be perceived to be of superior quality as quality is believed to be a prerequisite for international acceptance.

    Findings have it that some consumers purchasing pattern depicts their social status. It is believed that people, especially the young ones, consider current fashions and trends while buying a product. And through television, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the fashions and trends in other parts of the world. Hence, the fashions and trends dictate the preference of some individuals.

    But most people go for international brands rather than local ones. They feel proud when they buy imported items because, to them, it depicts class.

    Apart from just focusing on where the product is from, people consider other factors when buying. It has been noted that consumers are reluctant to buy goods made-in- less-developed countries as they perceive them to be low in quality.

    If a brand is perceived as globally available, consumers are likely to attribute a superior quality to it, because its international acceptance is seen as a sign o f its high quality.

    On one hand, consumers seem to value foreign brands and regard them as a status symbol. But they are often criticised for threatening the local differences leading to a loss of cultural identity.

    Some consumers believe that purchasing local goods promotes patriotism; they, therefore, accuse foreign brands of being a potential threat to a country’s economy and employment level.

    However, it is important to note also that a good item should have some unique proposition to satisfy a consumer needs.

    The attitudes and perceptions of consumers toward their choice of goods sometimes depends on categories, for example, electronic goods from Italy may be perceived as a poor quality but Italian clothing would be perceive as fashionable and high quality. And the Japanese electronic goods would be perceived with positive attitudes while their clothing will be negatively perceived.

    However, patriotic consumers believe that our local companies have a competitive edge over their foreign competitors because they are closer to consumers here and have a better understanding of what people want. They fear that buying foreign products may hinder the growth of local companies in the country.

    The Nation Shopping spoke with some shoppers to find out which product they patronise more and their experience of indigenous products.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Samson Shoile, said: “The problem with patronising indigenous products is that they are usually over-priced and of inferior quality. For example, furniture makers sell a set of living room chairs for about N250, 000 and above. It’s not as if they are of the best quality, and the finishing is likely to be shabby. If you check a foreign magazine on furniture, you will realise that what they offer for the same price or less is of a better quality. I don’t find this encouraging.”

    Sharing his experience with The Nation Shopping, Mr Alex Ndigwe who resides at Mowe Ibafo, in Ogun State, recalled how a purchase of a local brand item failed to meet his expectation and the lessons therein.

    “I bought a Zinox laptop sometime ago for N80, 000 with very low specifications just because I wanted to buy a made-in-Nigeria product and it didn’t last a year. I could have bought HP or Acer at the same amount with higher specifications. Same with Hitv that is supposed to give Dstv a run for their money; instead it is more expensive with all their crappy stations. It is the same issue with Globacom Nigeria and MTN South Africa,” he said.

    Mrs Esther Aghelibe  said: “If we want our local products to pick up in sales we need to force the issue; ultimately, it falls to the government to set trade tariffs to force the price of imported goods to go up so that buying locally made goods becomes attractive to people. For example, if there is a Nigerian car manufacturer that is not getting patronage, put tariff on importation of cars or parts so that people get to buy these cars.

    “The United States did something like that back in the days when the Japanese manufacturers were dominating the electrical appliances market in the US. Most of our goods are better than all these Chinese products seen in every corner of the country.  It’s just that we already have the mentality of buying imported goods even if it’s not worth it.”

    Mary Obire thinks a good quality product should be durable, reliable and should have good features.

    Each product claims high quality, nutritive content, innovative packaging, value for money, world-class standards and certified by relevant regulatory authorities. So, people have reasons for patronizing a particular brand. For some, it has to do with the taste and flavour if it is something edible, or it could be as a result of the low price attributed to an item. For others, it is the preference for a particular brand as matter of tradition.

    Some traders also spoke with The Nation Shopping. A dealer at Mile 12 Market, Lagos, Mr Musa Danjuma, said: “You know, we traders, are interested in whatever is moving in the market. I sell edibles that are fast moving products regardless of where they are from. I prefer to buy cheap items to sell cheap to my customers. It is a matter of choice.”

  • Customs seizes 1,608 goods

    Customs seizes 1,608 goods

    The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos of the Nigerian Customs service (NCS)  seized 1,608  various banned goods in the first half of the year.

    The goods were worth N612, 513, 600, with a payable duty of N323, 823, 327 and a duty paid value (DPV) of N936, 336, 927.

    This figure represents over 50 per cent increase compared with the seizures and proceeds of a corresponding period of last year.

    Some of the items mostly included but not limited to the following: rice imported through unapproved routes, foreign frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, used tyres, fridges, compressors, used vehicles, spaghetti/noodles and other general goods. In addition to the above, the Unit also apprehended a total of 111 suspects in connection with the seizures within the period.

    The Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Comptroller Nuhu Isa Mahmoud, said  the Unit has keyed into the full automation of the NCS procedures and with a robust Assycuda section in the Unit, trade facilitation has been made easier.

    The Assycuda ++ (Automated System for Customs Data) enables all Customs Commands to assess information online. This is targeted at trade facilitation.

    “Our full integration and high compliance in this regard accounted for some of the remarkable results which the Unit recorded during the period,” he said, adding that there is high level coordination, synergy and collaboration with the critical stakeholders like the community residents, freight forwarders, traditional institutions, and the media.

    The Controller said the Unit can boast of very rugged and fearless officers who will not be intimidated by the hostile tendencies of smugglers. “We will go extra mile to deal with the issue of smuggling in view of its adverse effect on the security and economy of the nation.

    “The Unit will continue to justify the confidence which the Federal Government reposed on us. The remaining part of the year will witness a further boost in our anti-smuggling initiative.”

  • Driver arraigned for alleged theft of N12m goods

    A36-YEAR-OLD driver, Abayomi Omojowo, has been arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing goods worth N12 million.

    Omojowo of No. 10, Akinde Street, Igando, Lagos, is standing trial for conspiracy and robbery.

    The Prosecutor, Inspector Roman Unuigbe, told the court that the defendant and others at large, allegedly robbed a Mack truck with registration number, Lagos, XW 743 GGE, worth N4 million, property of Mr Wale Olayemi.

    He said the accused also stole 13 tons of 15mm iron rods worth N8 million.

    He said Omojovwo and the others committed the offence at 12.30 a.m on July 4, this year at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes, Section 295 and 409, Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    But, Omojowo pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Hamzat, granted the accused bail of N200, 000, with two sureties.

    She adjourned the case till November 11, this year.

     

  • ‘Don’t carry banned goods’

    Cargo agents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos have been warned to desist from shipping dangerous and prohibited goods onboard of aircraft.

    The agents have also been urged to check any item given them for shipment from importers or exporters.

    At a seminar by the Greater Washington Logistics at the Lagos Airport, the companies advised the cargo agents to report any suspected cargo to the appropriate authorities or face sanction.

    The Safety Inspector, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Austin Eboigbe, advised the cargo agents to identify any dangerous goods items they are collecting from clients.

    He noted that several air incidents happen because of improper carriage of dangerous goods onboard of airplanes, adding that the agency was investigating incidents relating to dangerous goods that were shipped into the country.

    He listed these as matches, fireworks, lighter, gas cooker, body spray and magnets. He warned that the agency would withdraw the licence of any agent or sanction any airline found wanting.

    He said: “Although there are some quantities of liquids that are allowed onboard of planes, just for information, your licence can be withdrawn as an agent while the airline can be fined too. We expect you (agents) to think about the safety of the aircraft and the passengers onboard in the cause of carrying out your business.”

    Head, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Local Airport, Mr Nasir Kotangora, appealed to the cargo agents to check any drugs given to them for importation before shipment. He warned that if they are caught with any illicit drug, they would be sanctioned.

    The Group Head, Regional Business & Cargo Shed Manager, Greater Washington Logistics, Mr Agbongban Bright, urged cargo agents to follow safety standards and recommendation practices laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in carrying out their jobs.

     

  • I diverted N35m worth of goods to fund my wedding

    I diverted N35m worth of goods to fund my wedding

    A truck driver and suspected member of a six-man robbery gang arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, Emmanuel Agbazue (25), has said that he connived with five others to divert N35 million worth of goods in order to get enough money to marry a woman he was in love with and also start a business of his own.

    Agbazue and the other members of the gang were arrested at a warehouse in Lagos while they were offloading the goods in question into the warehouse of the receiver. The other suspects include Haruna Abdullahi (48), Nsube Okoli (20), Chinedu Ukaonu (27) and Aloysius Anuntu (42) and one Alhaji Sani who was not charged as he was found to have been a victim of circumstances.

    According to police sources, the diverted goods belonged to Friesland, a subsidiary of WAMCO Plc situated at Ogba Industrial Estate, Ikeja. The raw milk was said to have been imported for the production of powdered milk.

    Agbazue, a driver with a transport company named Jetra, was said to have been the one that drove the truck with which the goods in question were moved from the port at Tin Can Island to the company’s premises at Ogba. Thereafter, he allegedly contacted Ukaonu to help him in diverting the goods. Ukaonu in turn contacted a Lagos-based auto spare parts dealer named Aloysius to look for a buyer to whom they could dispose off the goods at a give-away price.

    Aloysius then contacted one Ibrahim based in Maroko, a suburb of Lagos, who in turn contacted one Tukur and both of them agreed to buy the diverted goods for N17 million. Thereafter, they contacted one Haruna, a resident of Railway Line, Agege, Lagos, to help them secure a warehouse where the diverted goods would be kept for onward transportation to Sokoto. Haruna was said to have paid the sum of N40,000 for the warehouse located in Kara area of Ibafo, Ogun State.

    But following a tip off, the Officer in Charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police (SP), mobilised his men to the location and met the six suspects offloading the goods into a the warehouse. The SARS operatives arrested all the suspects and recovered the stolen goods and the trailer.

    Though before SARS operatives swooped on the suspects, half of the stolen goods had been offloaded, hence, the loaders were ordered to reload the ones they had loaded into the warehouse back to the truck and the suspects and the trailer carrying the 40-feet container were later taken to Scorpion House for further investigation.

    However, interrogation by the police was said to have revealed that Alhaji Sani was only a victim of circumstance. Haruna told the police that Sani only escorted him to the warehouse as he used to, and the fact that he saw him pay the sum of N40,000 to hire the warehouse made him not to suspect that they were dealing in stolen goods. Other members of the gang also corroborated Haruna’s explanation, saying that Sani was innocent. Abba Kyari therefore set him free with a warning that he would no longer be spared if he was found in the company of looters again.

    Narrating his role in the saga, Agbazue said: “I am a native of Okija in Anambra State and a trailer driver with Jetra Petroleum Haulage on a monthly salary of N18,000. I started working with the company in June last year. The monthly salary is too small. From each trip I made, the company collected between N200,000 to N300,000, even if the consignee paid N150,000 per trip and I made up to eight trips or more in a month, which brought the company’s income to about N1.2 million per month.

    “Even if business is dull, there is no way half a million naira would not enter the company’s account in a month. Yet, they could not pay reasonable salary. What would happen if a fatal accident occurs? The company can abandon me.

    “To make matters worse, the company would monitor us from the point of loading to the point of delivery, and there was no opportunity for us to carry load or passengers along the road to make extra money. Even the N6,000 the company used to give us for the road, there was no way you would manage it and get something reasonable. For instance, when we collected the N6,000, we would pay between N1,500 and N2,000 for TDO paper. When the load came out, you would buy ticket of N1,000. By the time all the payments were made, I would be left with N1,000 or N1,500, which I shared with the conductor. That was not enough for food, drinks, cigarette and kola nut, which we needed to keep us going on the highway.

    “To worsen matters, I wanted to get married to my sweetheart but there was no way I could get the huge amount budgeted for it. You know that every long vehicle driver likes women, especially prostitutes. They sleep with prostitutes wherever the night catches up with them.

    “I knew that there was a tracker in the trailer, so I removed it so that they would not know my location. It was a surprise to us that SARS men discovered our location. I was asked to deliver the goods from Apapa to WAMCO at Ogba (Lagos), but I diverted it to Ojodu Berger and Kara areas.

    “I needed the sum of N17 million to start business and do my wedding. I had an account with a bank containing the sum of N21,000, but my ATM card stopped working. Four of us intended to share the N17 million. Unfortunately, the buyers of the goods had not paid before SARS operatives arrested us and recovered the goods.”

    Asked whether he had any regrets over his action, he said: “I regret losing my job, which used to give me some money for feeding. I also regret not getting the millions I targeted. I am now facing interrogation and possible prosecution.”

    The second suspect, Okoli, said: “I am from Amaichi Umuwaehi in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am a truck conductor. They don’t pay me salary. It was the driver (Agbazue) who employed me and gave me money any time we went on a trip, like N200 for feeding, N100 for hot drink and N20 for cigarette. At the end of each trip, he gave me N1,000.”

    Asked if he was a party to the plan to divert the goods, he said: “Yes, I was aware. We had been doing it, but this one would have paid us better. If I had succeeded, I would have bought a commercial bus and stop this long-distance travelling.

    “There was one we diverted in Nnewi, Anambra State, sometime ago and they gave me N50,000. I don’t know the worth of the goods involved in this one. It was a 40-feet container and the goods were worth millions.

    “I dropped out at JSS 3 because of financial handicap. Nobody was willing to assist or accommodate me. Hence, I slept in the market or at the motor park. The driver picked me from the motor park and I have been serving him well.

    “My regret is that I did not get a dime from this operation before I was arrested.”

    Ukaonu on his part said: “I am a native of Isialangwa in Abia State. I am a trailer driver. I am single. I stopped my educational career in primary six. I was arrested because we conspired to divert some goods.”

    Asked how he got involved in the deal, he said he and Agbazue learnt driving together. “We are neighbours. On that fateful day, he called me and told me that there was an urgent job to be done and it would fetch us big money. I asked him how much and he said it would be in millions of naira and that it would take us to the next level of life. I was very happy.

    “I quickly contacted one Aloysius and he said he knew some buyers. He called one of them known as Alhaji Ibrahim. Later, Ibrahim called his boss named Alhaji Tukur, who signified interest in buying the entire consignment. From there, I continued to monitor the progress of the operation from the loading to the offloading points.

    “I followed them very closely because criminals who divert goods are heartless. If you are not present, they could divert your own share. Where will you report them if they don’t give you your own share after disposing the goods? Therefore, to be on the safe side, you follow them closely so that you will not be cheated.

    “I was with them at Kara, the off-loading point on May 11, 2013 when SARS operatives stormed the place and got six of us arrested. But they later released one when they found out that he was innocent.

    “I was driving for AURUM Energy, a transport company. But I left them after I had a fatal accident that got the trailer badly damaged. The company refused to repair the trailer, which left me redundant for almost eight months. Hence, I resigned and joined the gang. I had both the G and E licences and I am good at driving. But I needed big money to solve the big problem I had. Driving alone cannot give me the money even in 20 years time.

    “I have no regrets over my action because I don’t have a kobo in my pocket now, and a man without money is a dead man.”

    The fourth suspect, Aloysius, said: “I am from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State. I deal in auto spare parts at Oyingbo in Lagos Mainland, where I have a large shop. But I reside at No. 56, Okera Road, Railway Compound, Oyingbo. I was the one that contacted Alhaji Ibrahim who in turn contacted Alhaji Tukur.”

    On why he contacted Ibrahim, Aloysius said: “I did so because Chinedu said he had some stolen goods to dispose. I then said I knew one Alhaji Ibrahim who was an agent to Alhaji Tukur. There and then, Alhaji Ibrahim called Alhaji Tukur and we negotiated the price and agreed on N17 million.

    “The said Tukur arrived Lagos from Ibadan between 11.30 pm and midnight that day. He said the person that would provide the key to the warehouse at Ojodu Berger had not arrived and asked us to wait till 5 am.

    After 5 am, the man still did not surface. But at about 7 am, Alhaji Tukur’s boy arrived and with the key. He opened the warehouse and we opened the container. They negotiated with one Haruna Abdullahi to pay them the sum of N40,000 to use the warehouse for four days.

    “We stood at a corner while they negotiated. In the end, the labourers started off-loading the diverted goods. As they were off-loading the goods, SARS operatives appeared and arrested everybody. They also ordered the labourers to reload the container. The container was later taken to Scorpion House (SARS headquarters) along with the suspects and the goods.”

    He said he did not get a dime from the deal and that it was his first experience. His wife, he said, never knew that he was involved in crime because she travelled. “But when she came back, she was informed and she came to see me. She quarrelled with me and asked me why I should partake in such a dirty deal. But I pleaded with her that it was the handiwork of the devil,” he said.

    The fifth suspect, Haruna said he was a trader of empty sacks and nylon, but he realised that there was no much money in the business. “I am married with five children. How do you expect me to feed all these mouths, including my wife’s, with the sale of sacks and nylon bags?” he asked.

    “How much is school fees? I am addressed as an Alhaji but I have never gone to Mecca. People just call me Alhaji and I claimed it because it raised my social status.

    “I am from Panisau village in Ungogo Local Government Area, Kano State. Alhaji Tukur sent Aloysius and Alhaji Ibrahim and Chinedu, and I went to show them the warehouse. It was in the morning, but they said they would be bringing the goods in the night. After bringing the goods at about midnight, they called me and I told them that I would not be able to come at that hour. I told them to wait till 5 am.

    “I got there at 7 am. We called the owner of the warehouse and he sent his boy. After opening the warehouse, they opened the container and started offloading. In the process, SARS operatives stormed the place and got all of us arrested.

    “The goods were already half off-loaded, but the police ordered us to load them back into the container. Unfortunately, SARS operatives arrested my friend, Alhaji Sani, who I had asked to accompany me to the place. But during investigation, the police found that he was not connected with the deal and he was released. He was exonerated by all the other suspects.

    “But let me make it clear that many of us at Railway Line, Agege, specialise in buying and selling stolen goods, and people patronise us because our goods are very cheap.”

    Asked how he felt free to sell stolen goods close to Isokoko, Pen Cinema and Elere police stations, he said: “It is a contact point for many areas in Lagos where stolen goods are sold. They buy from them and we do not allow members to misbehave to avoid attracting the attention of the police.

    “Whenever there is a misunderstanding between a buyer and a seller, we try our best to solve the problem amicably. Besides, we do not allow our members to take their matters to the police in order to keep the police away.”

  • Customs Command seizes N22m goods

    Customs Command seizes N22m goods

    The Western Marine Command (WMC) of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has seized smuggled goods with duty paid value put at N22.124 million.

    The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Zakka Audu, said the seizure covered September to November.

    The Comptroller said the seizures were done on 21 different occasions. An analysis of the operations made available by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chado Zakari showed that in September, 10 seizures were recorded while in October and November the number stood at four and seven.

    A further analysis of the Command’s Monthly Returns on Suppression of smuggling Forms made available to The Nation showed that in September the value of smuggled goods stood at N12.751 million while the estimated duty paid value (DPV) stood at N13.969 million. For the months of October and November the value of the arrested smuggled goods stood at N1.945 million and N5.466 million respectively while the estimated duty paid value (DPV) stood at N2.543 million and N5.612 million.

     

  • N45m goods lost in Ibadan fire

    N45m goods lost in Ibadan fire

    A storey-building at the Ifeleye Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was razed yesterday morning.

    It was learnt that property worth over N45 million was destroyed in the fire.

    The cause of the fire was unknown. Sources ruled out power surge, as there has been power outage in the area for over three weeks.

    They said the fire was noticed at about midnight by people living in the building behind the one that got burnt.

    The fire would have spread to other buildings but for the timely arrival of men of the State Fire Service. Traders, who sell motor batteries and motorcycle spare parts, said they lost goods and cash to the fire.

    Sympathisers flooded the scene, with some helping the victims to salvage a few items.

    Mr. Sina Sotunbo, who was yet to overcome the shock as at noon, said he lost goods worth over N20 million.

    Sotunbo, a motor battery dealer, said someone phoned him around 1am and told him the building was burning.

    He said he rushed to the market but could not help the situation.

    Mr. Olusola Olalere, who sells motorcycle spare parts, said he re-stocked his shop on Friday.

    Olalere, who is the chairman of the Ifeleye Traders’ Association, said he was informed about the fire a few minutes after midnight.

    He said when he got to the scene, all his goods were already burnt.

    Olalere said he lost goods worth over N25 million and N1.8 million.

    He urged the state government to assist the victims, adding that the loss was too much for them to bear.