A part of the seized items with means of conveyance on display.
Story by Dili Utomi.
In fulfilment of its obligation as an interventionist arm of the Nigeria Customs Service and the general achievement of the Service mandate, the Federal Operations Unit of the Service headed by Customs Area Controller, Hussein Kehinde Ejibinu has continued to perform its functions with the utmost seriousness that the Unit deserves.
Certain Sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (23) kick against the act of smuggling. Section 228 (false statements/declaration), section 231(counterfeiting any seal, signature, initials or any mark used by any officer), section 229 (an intentional entry of goods for less duty payment) etc.
The Customs Area Controller of the Unit in a press briefing took time out to display the quarterly performance of the Unit and he used the occasion to educate people about the disadvantages of smuggling and the derivable benefits inherent in compliance to extant laws.
His words “Smuggling impacts society negatively by short-changing the economy through tax evasion, affects public health and safety, distorts the balance of fair business competitiveness, and also serves as an instrument for the achievement of other criminal activities. Smuggling can lead to compromised personal safety because it exposes individuals to various risks that include; dealing with dangerous individuals, illegal substances, and working in unsafe conditions”.
CAC Ejibunu making some explanations about the seized items.
“By complying with all relevant regulations and laws, importers and traders can steer clear of costly fines and penalties that may arise as a consequence of non-compliance. It enhances a good reputation, demonstrates reliability, and trustworthiness, ensures smooth Customs and other statutory regulatory clearance procedures. This in turn reduces delays and potential disruptions in the supply chain”.
CAC Ejibunu added “Interestingly, compliant importers are eligible to access the Service’s preferential treatment through preferential trade programmes such as the fast track, the advance ruling, and the Authorise Economic Operators (AEO) programme. It is a programme that allows all compliant economic operators involved in the international movement of goods to apply for AEO status. While the focus is maintained on high-risk operators and the facilitation of legitimate trade”.
On the Unit ‘s performance in the first quarter of 2024, the seizures were due to violations of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines. CAC Ejibunu said “While vigorously and relentlessly executing our anti-smuggling campaign, a total of 206 seizures were made worth the sum of duty paid value of N2,877,049,777 while 29 suspects were arrested”.
Some of the seizures recorded within the first three months of the year 2024 are
12,278 X 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 21 trailer loads)
40 units of used vehicles
286 cartons of rubber slippers
1,220 cartons of foreign tomato paste
2,705 kegs of premium motor spirit
3,510 pieces of pneumatic used tyres
330 bales of used clothes
2,230 kg of Indian Hemp
1,569 cartons of foreign frozen poultry products
365 cartons of unmarked drugs
104 units of Haojuo Motorcycle
566 cartons of slippers
Revenue recovery made within the period under review was N305,310,010.44 this represents 67% collection of the N455,202,073.97 revenue target for the year 2024.
CAC Ejibunu explaning some details concerning a seized car.
“Just recently, officers of this Unit were carrying out their legitimate duties when they were being shot by some armed men suspected to be smugglers along Igbori Village, in Oyo State. Although some of the officers in the patrol team sustained injuries, but the assailants were repelled with superior fire power”.
The CAC advises that “Armed none state actors should beware of the legal consequences of their actions when caught. We shall never be distracted or deterred by their antics; the rules of engagement would be fully invoked in compliance with the Service’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to counter any attack on officers”.
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