- The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme command, said it intercepted goods worth N2.8 billion between September and November, 2018
- The customs area controller, Mohammed Garuba, said command also seized 21 exotic vehicles worth N135 million
- Garuba also noted that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the recent seizures
The Seme border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, November 21, said it seized contraband worth over N2.8 billion which included 27 trailers load of foreign parboiled rice smuggled into the country through neighbouring Benin Republic.
Speaking while displaying the seized items to journalists, the customs area controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, said the command also seized 21 exotic vehicles worth N135 million between September and November 2018.
The Punch reports that Garuba said among the items seized were; 21 vehicles, worth N134,410,536; 16,729 bags (27 trailers) of foreign rice worth N302,477,049, frozen poultry products worth N728,654,and vegetable oil worth N400,440.
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Others were; used tyres worth N859,345, petroleum products worth 134,410,536, Tramadol worth N11,090,832, sugar worth N7,394,52140, used textiles worth N774,270,57, coconut worth N2,313,360 among others.
Garuba said as a consequent, any of the banned items intercepted along the border would be seized.
According to him, seven suspects were arrested in connection with the recent seizures, adding, “Some were convicted, bailed and others are currently being detained in connection with the seizures and are undergoing interrogation for possible prosecution.”
He added: “Beyond the above statistics, it is obvious that the seizures represent protection of the economy and security of our people.
“Let me state clearly that it is simply not enough to inform you about the revenue and seizures with the Duty Payable Value; what is of paramount importance is to boost our economic growth and provide employment for our teeming youths.
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“Take for instance, the government policy on rice; the rationale behind the policy is geared towards self-sufficiency in terms of food production that would meet the demand of the citizenry. Incentives have been created for rice farmers, individuals and state governments have committed so much in terms of finance in order for this goal of self-sufficiency to be actualised.
“We as a Command cannot afford to be complacent. The dangers inherent in this illegality are too numerous to mention, hence our resolve to fight them relentlessly.”
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme area command announced that it collected sum of N2,861,342,694.00 between January to June 2018.
The command said it made a total of 620 seizures with duty paid value (DPV) of N432,930,517.00 in the same months under review.
This was disclosed by command spokesman, Saidu Nuruddeen Abdullahi, in a statement made available to journalists by on Monday, July 9, in Lagos.
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Source: Legit.ng
