Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Lilypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted and detained 11 containers suspected to be used for smuggling rough and sawn timber worth $295,944.
The containers were seized at the Apapa Port on October 11, 2024, following credible intelligence gathered by the Customs Intelligence Unit.
This information was contained in a press briefing made by Bukola Olusola-Oke, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II Command PRO.
“Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of the Lilypond Export Command officers and officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following the discharge of some export bound containers at the barge area of Apapa Port on October 11, 2024 intercepted and detained these containers suspected to being used for smuggling.
“A total of Eleven units of 20FT containers fully laden with Rough/Sawn Timber have been seized. This consignment is estimated to having a street value of Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four US Dollars ($295,944.00).”, the statement said.
According to Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, the seized containers were found to contain raw and unprocessed timber, which contravenes Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff.
The statement added that the command has scheduled the containers for 100% physical examination, and they would be converted to seizures in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The seizure is part of the command’s efforts to prevent the export of any consignment that conflicts with the laws of the country.
The command has assured that it will continue to engage with its partners and stakeholders to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area of export.
The Customs Service has also urged small, medium, and large-scale exporters to take advantage of its easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the Federal Government to encourage export trade.
“I want to use this opportunity to, once again, urge our Small, Medium and Large-scale exporters to take advantage of our easy processes and window of opportunities provided by the Federal Government to encourage export trade.
“We shall continue to engage our partners and stakeholders as mandated by the CGC following the theme of the World Customs Organization for 2024 and that of the recently held 2024 Comptroller General of Customs Conference”.
