Nigerian Customs Service intercepts prohibited items worth over N28 million

The Nigerian Customs Service, North-Central Zone (which comprises Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Benue States), has recorded a total number of 35 seizures of various prohibited items from April 1st this year till date.

This was disclosed by Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, the Coordinator of Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector 3, for North-Central Zone, while addressing journalists in Ilorin,  the Kwara State capital.

According to him, the seized items are worth duty paid value of N28,203,700 million in two months.

The items include 637 Bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice HS Code 1006; 795 Kegs of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit HS Code 2710; 15 units Nigerian used vehicles (means of conveyance) HS Code 8703; 14 Cartons of Condensed Milk HS 0402; 4 Cartons of Batteries HS Code 8513; 14 Tins of Tomato Paste HS Code 2002; and 3 Bags of Sugar HS Code 1701.

“It is also important to note that the successes recorded in our operations in this sector could be attributed to the good motivation from the Nigerian Customs Service Management, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other sister agencies, which have boosted the morale of officers and have kept them in high spirit at all times,” he added.

He also expressed concern that despite efforts by officers of the Service to reduce the activities of the smugglers to the minimum, some individuals were still engaged in the illegal trade.

The sector coordinator, however, noted that  despite the series of attacks by dare devil  smugglers/hoodlums in the  course of their duty, the Sector will not be distracted from executing her mandate.

To this end, he warned that anyone attacking their officers in the line of duty or perpetrating nefarious activities of smuggling shall be made to face the wrath of the law.

Comptroller Peters commended other security agencies, community leaders, youth leaders and other members of the public and patriotic citizens among the media for collaborating with the team in the fight against smuggling and human trafficking in the zone.