The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has made a major breakthrough in its fight against smuggling, seizing a large consignment of donkey skins intended for export alongside other prohibited items valued at N8.1 billion.
Comptroller Kola Oladeji, the head of the Unit, disclosed this during a press briefing in Ikeja Lagos.
Oladeji revealed that the Unit conducted 70 seizures within the review period, which included 6,168 pieces of donkey skin weighing 29,606 kilograms, 37,630 sachets of Tramadol (250 mg), 11,820 new machetes, 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 978 kilograms of Cannabis sativa, 1,145 cartons of poultry products, 15 imported vehicles, 257 bales of used clothing, and 11,700 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Highlighting the Unit’s ramped-up operations as the Ember months approach, Oladeji stated, “Our intelligence and the past behaviour of smugglers suggest the likelihood of heightened desperation to smuggle. Consequently, we are intensifying our efforts in line with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.”
He further emphasized, “I can confidently state that our resistance to smugglers’ desperation is effective, leading to the seizure of their goods and the arrest of suspects. We will remain relentless and uncompromising in this regard.”
The operations also led to the arrest of 14 male suspects linked to various smuggling activities. Additionally, revenue recovery efforts yielded N133.7 million through documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on underpaid consignments, all of which have been remitted to the Federation account.
Addressing the persistent issue of smuggling petroleum products and illicit drugs, Oladeji warned, “While the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the availability of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, for Nigerians, some smugglers are determined to export the products for their personal gain. To be clear, this category of smugglers will have us to contend with.”
He added that the seized Tramadol and Cannabis sativa would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action, as part of ongoing inter-agency collaboration.
Oladeji concluded by urging Nigerians to reject smuggling and avoid the temptation of illegal wealth, advising traders and Customs clearing agents to be honest in their declarations and ensure proper duty payments to avoid severe penalties.
