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Tag: Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)

  • Sokoto customs Area command seize N21.1m worth tramadol, cannabis

    Worth 68 cartons of tramadol and 120 kilograms of cannabis valued at N21.1 million were intercepted and seized according to the Sokoto Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

    Similarly, the command disclosed that it also arrested six cartons of expired cigarettes.

    Handing over the seized items to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency  (NDLEA) and the National Food and Drugs Administration Commission (NAFDAC) at the Area Command on Tuesday , the Area Comptroller Nasiru Ahmed said the tramadol were abandoned in a house within the Sokoto metropolis and it worth N20 million.

    The cannabis worth N1.1 million, he said was arrested at Kamba border concealed in bales of second hand clothes.

    Ahmed said that the Indian helm was highly concentrated and was brought into the country from the Benin Republic.

    He reiterated his call on border communities to always see smuggling as dangerous to their societies and the nation at large not a business.

    Read Also: Sokoto: Tambuwal, Wamakko scramble for lawmakers

    He stressed the need for stronger synergies between security agencies to curtail the menace.

    “Nigeria is our country and we need to double our effort to stop illicit drugs and firearms into our country,” he said

    He added that investigation is ongoing to unravel the owners of the seized items, just as he advised the state government to demolish the house where the tramadol was found.

    On their separate remarks, the State Coordinator of NAFDAC and the representative of NDLEA, Hamisu Yahya and Mustapha Ali-Baba appreciated the gestures which they said had shown the synergy between the command and other sister agencies as this was not the first seizure it handed over to them.

  • Customs strengthens boarder security over codeine ban

    …takes delivery of 50 operation vehicles

     

    Owing to the ban on the manufacturing of codeine, other hard drugs and the tendency of smuggling prohibited substances into the country through boarders, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has further strengthened its border checks and security for codeine.

    Its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Joseph Attah revealed this to The Nation in his Abuja office Thursday.

    He added that in its bid to enforce the illicit drug ban and border patrol, the service has just taken delivery of 50 operation vehicles that were being painted for operation.

    The Customs spokesman said that “We know that each time there is a policy of government that restricts or prohibits the importation of any item, the tendency is for unpatriotic elements to circumvent it by engaging in its smuggling.

    Read Also:Customs arrest four suspected smugglers, intercept N53m contraband

    “Like any other prohibited item, we will be on the watch out for it (codeine). We will seize them. You are aware that we have been seizing illicit drugs like tramadol and some drugs without NAFDAC approval and all that.

    “We will continue to do what we do and ensure that any of such prohibited drugs, not only codeine, any other prohibited items, is not allowed to get into the country.”

    Attah said for any prohibited item not to slip into Nigeria now that local manufacturers have stopped production of codeine, the NCS would receive more patrol vehicles this year.

    According to him, “already we have taken delivery of 50 Hilux patrol vehicles and we are expecting more. The idea is to beef up our logistic in such a way that we are very mobile and very swift in arriving the scene of a crime. So, with the acquisition of more vehicles and the deployment of intelligence operatives, we expect that we will be able to step up our boarder policing this year.”

  • Sokoto: Custom seizes 48 smuggled vehicles

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) has seized 48 vehicles with duty paid value of N196.7 million in Sokoto. Nasir Ahmed, the Area Comptroller in charge of Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamfara Area Command, made the disclosure on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the success recorded by the command in the first quarter of 2018.

    “The NCS based on credible intelligence on Wednesday April 12, with the assistance of the 1 Brigade, Nigeria Army in an operation discovered a location in Sokoto where several vehicles are stored.

    “These vehicles suspected to be smuggled into the country were stored at Rugan Waru Area of Sokoto state.

    “So, officers of NCS acting under the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap 45, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2014, during a raid discovered the 48 vehicles.

    “This, involved 20 Lexus GX 470 SUV vehicles and 28 Toyota Avensis vehicles suspected to be smuggled through unapproved routes,” he said.

    He added that the vehicles were immediately moved from the location and deposited at NCS headquarters in Sokoto.

    Read Also: Education at all cost: agony of lame female students in Sokoto varsity

    “We therefore urge the owners to come forward with valid Customs documents because failure to do so, the vehicles will be liable to seizure and subsequent forfeiture to the Federal Government after 30 days.

    “This is in line with the laws of the land. However investigations to ascertain the true owners of these vehicles is presently ongoing,” he added.

    The Comptroller further said that a total of N443.8 million revenue was generated by the command in the first quarter of 2018, higher by 20.3 per cent compared to same period in 2017.

    Ahmed also said that the command in the first quarter seized 2, 298 bags of 50 kg and 23 bags of 25 kg bags of foreign rice with duty paid value worth N41.3 million.

    He also added that 527 jerry cans of 25 kg vegetable oil with duty paid value of N6.6 million was seized by the command during the same period.

    NAN

  • Oyo/Osun Customs intercepts N92.77m goods

    The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) on Tuesday said it intercepted contraband goods with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N92.77 million in February.

    The Area Comptroller, Christopher Odibu, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Ibadan, said the seizures were made through the utilisation of the intelligence reports by its officers.

    Odibu said that 4,000 bags of 50kg  foreign parboiled rice with  duty paid value of N48,596,321 and nine trucks and two used cars with duty paid value of N34,782,792 were seized during the period under review.

    Other items seized include 150 pieces of used tyres with DPV of N1,298,345.53, 51 bales of second hand clothes with DPV of N7,043,205 and 50 kegs (25litres) of vegetable oil worth N1,057,375.

    He said that the total Duty Paid Value of the seized goods was N92, 778, 048.

    Odibu  said some of the seizure were made along Opara/Bodo Musa axis of Iwajowa Local Government Area of the state while one suspect was arrested.

    “Let me sound a note of warning and advice to all unpatriotic Nigerians, who engage in smuggling of   rice and other contraband goods, to desist.

    “It is worrisome to note that some Nigerians remain unrepentant even as they continue to lose.

    “The Federal Government’s  efforts in transforming the agricultural sector, especially in the area of rice production,  should be encouraged while importation of rice should be discouraged by all,” he said.

    Odibu, however, called for collaboration between the command and the media,  especially in the area of enlightenment of local communities on the consequences of smuggling activities on the nation’s economy.

    NAN

  • Niger: Customs collects N146m revenue in February – Comptroller

    Niger: Customs collects N146m revenue in February – Comptroller

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), Niger Area Command, said on Wednesday that it collected N146 million as internally generated revenue in February.

    Mr Benjamin Binga, the Command’s Comptroller, gave the figure in an interview with our reporter in Minna.

    The command, which comprised Niger, Kwara and Kogi, has N3.4 billion revenue target for the year, as directed by the customs headquarters.

    Binga said that the command had taken concrete working measures to ensure the realisation of increased revenue.

    According to him, adequate security measures have been adopted by the command, to block the smuggling of goods into the country through the area.

    “We have identified all the smugglers’ routes and have deployed competent officers to fight the menace to a standstill.”

    Binga solicited the support of traditional rulers, especially those at border posts, in assisting officers manning the areas with relevant information, to discourage smuggling.

    He also appealed for more working support from stakeholders, including members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW ), in sharing information on smugglers’ activities.

    NAN

  • NCS intercepts smuggled rice concealed in petrol tank

    NCS intercepts smuggled rice concealed in petrol tank

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), says it has arrested a suspect in Sokoto who allegedly smuggled 460 bags of imported rice concealed in a petrol tank.

    The Comptroller for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara Command of NCS, Mr Nasir Ahmad, made the disclosure to newsmen on Friday in Sokoto.

    Ahmad said the smuggled items, which were intercepted along Sokoto-Illela road, had N7.8 million duty paid value.

    He said when the bags of rice were removed from the tank they had been contaminated by black oil, which is dangerous to human health.

    The controller advised smugglers to find alternative legal means of livelihood and stop undermining the nation’s economy.

    He solicited for relevant information from the public to assist the command track down smugglers.

    NAN

  • Armed smugglers butcher Customs operative in Ogun

    Armed smugglers butcher Customs operative in Ogun

    An Operative of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Muhammed Maigari, has escaped being killed by armed smugglers but not without inflicting life threatening injury on him.

    The Nation gathered that Muhammed Maigari was assaulted at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state, by smugglers who almost severed one of his hand following deep cut inflicted on him.

    It was learnt that the Operative attached to the Federal Operations Unit but posted to the  Idiroko border area, was said to have been beaten thoroughly last Wednesday while on patrol with colleagues.

    Maigari and his colleagues were said to be responding to an intelligence report that some smugglers were coming with a smuggled Toyota highlander toward the Ibeji River but a fierce battle ensued when the Operatives ran into the smugglers.

    In the ensuing fight, the armed smugglers attempted to disarm Maigari but when he resisted it, they cut his left upper arm and left it with a deep gash.

    The Customs’ Public Relations Officer, Ogun Area Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, who confirmed the attack, said though the vehicle was intercepted but the smugglers harmed the operatives.

    According to him, the smugglers attempted to disarm Maigara and slash his head with the machete but he blocked it with his arm, which resulted in the life-threatening cut on his left upper arm.

    “One of our operatives was savagely attacked with a machete on Wednesday at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Idiroko.

    “The cut was life- threatening. The smugglers were armed and they confronted our operatives. But since we did not want any loss of lives, our operatives successfully intercepted the Toyota highlander being smuggled through the forest.

    “It is currently in the command’s custody at sentry, Idiroko border. The command will not relent in curbing smuggling activities around Idiroko border and Ogun State as a whole,” he said.

    He said Maigari was first taken to the General Hospital, Idiroko, for treatment, later moved to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos for comprehensive treatment.

  • FG to increase salaries of NCS officers – Minister

    FG to increase salaries of NCS officers – Minister

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has promised to ensure salary increase for officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ).

    Adeosun made the promise at the celebration of International Customs Day at the Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, FCT on Friday in Abuja.

    The theme of the event was “A secure business environment for economic development’’.

    The minister was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Finance, Mrs Oladudumi Biosola.

    Adeosun urged officers of the NCS to put in more efforts to rise above target in revenue drive.

    She said that security of trade environment was central for business to proper, adding that security aspect of Customs role was as important as its revenue role.

    “The theme of this year Customs day coincides with the current ease of doing business initiative of the Federal Government.

    “We understand that the initiative is already yielding dividends based on the fact that we have improved by 24 points in the World Bank ranking system,’’ Adeosun said.

    She commended the NCS for its remarkable success in ensuring national security in the past years.

    According to her, seizure of arms .and ammunitions at the seaports were the possible indications that the Service is alive to its responsibilities.

    The minister also pledged to give the NCS the required support to succeed.

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, said that the Service had made steady progress in automation of its processes.

    The Comptroller-General said in addition to these were other reforms aimed at ensuring a secured business environment.

    Ali said that other ongoing reforms in the Service were repositioning it through strategic deployment, training and automation of Customs processes.

    He said that clearance process through Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), fast track facility for compliant traders and the post clearance audit were aimed at reducing clearance time and cost.

    “The minister has been working diligently on how to see the welfare of the NCS improves.

    “We are presently working on the computation of figures and she is waiting for that figure.

    “As soon that is made available, then, the decision between her and Mr President will determine what Customs gets.

    “I assure all Customs officers that between the minister and the President, both are all ready to see that there is an improvement in welfare of NCS,’’ Ali said.

    The Customs boss urged Nigerians to support indigenous businesses by patronising made in Nigeria goods to encourage local production and boost industrial base.

    NAN

  • Customs rakes N98b in Lagos

    Customs rakes N98b in Lagos

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), Port Terminal Multi-service Limited ( PTML ) Command, Apapa, Lagos said it generated N98. 8billion in 2017.

    The amount  was 57.4 percent above the N62.8billion revenue  generated in 2016.

    Its Area Comptroller, Mrs. Adeyanju Aremu said that the excellent performance was attributed to the  ban on the importation of vehicles through land borders.

    Aremu also said that trade compliance traders also made smoothen the operations of the command and urged all stakeholders to follow suit by ensuring compliance to the rules and regulations guiding the cargo clearance at the terminal.

    She explained that while the revenue generation has been on a steady increase since May 2017, consignments are now cleared within 6(six) hours for vehicles and 24 (twenty four) hours for containers as long as proper documentation is entered.

    A breakdown of the command’s the monthly revenue target of N6.3billion was surpassed  command collected a total of N6.785billion in May 2017, as against N4. 792billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2016.

     In June of 2017, a total of N7. 166billion  generated, recording an increase of 40.2 percent of 2016 revenue generation.

    For July, August and September the command posting a revenue of N8. 647billion, N10. 160billion and N8. 083billion respectively as against N4. 926billion, N6. 284billion  and N5. 712billion collected within the period under review.

    The months of October, November and December, 2017 had the Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) terminal collecting highest revenue ever in the history of the  Command as a total of N10.611billion was recorded in October, N10. 255billion  and N10.318billion  were posted as against  N6. 320billion, N6. 095billion  and N5. 987billion in the corresponding year of 2016.

    The Customs Area Controller also commended the officers and men of the command.

     “I have the best officers in the Nigeria Customs working with me in the command.

    “Inspite of the challenges of bad road, lack of transportation they meet while coming to work, they never gave up.

    Most of them have to trek to the office, yet, they  gave  their best, I must commend them,” she said.

  • Land borders, creeks unsafe for smugglers – Customs

    Land borders, creeks unsafe for smugglers – Customs

    The Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) on Thursday said that it was prepared to frustrate efforts of smugglers who would resort to using creeks because of heavy security on land borders.

    Mr Sarkin Kebbi, the Area Controller in charge of the Western Marine Command, Lagos, said that the NCS realised that desperate smugglers would divert to the creeks and would checkmate their activities .

    The controller gave the assurance in an interview in Lagos.

    He said that customs officers and men in the command had been mobilised to counter antics of smugglers on the waters.

    “We are aware of the season we are in now, and with the tight security on the land borders, it is expected that smugglers will want to make use of the creeks.

    “It will surprise them to know that the creeks are also covered with proactive officers and men who know the terrain more than them.

    “We are working with information gathering from the communities unlike before when officers worked without community inputs,’’ Kebbi said.

    Read also: Customs seizes 300 bags of foreign rice in Sokoto

    He said that the Beach Combing Unit of the command was on 24-hour surveillance of the creeks with a view to foiling operations of any syndicate.

    Kebbi said that the command would soon take delivery of two gun boats to facilitate operations

    NAN