CITIZENS COMPASS —The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has intercepted some foreign parboiled rice concealed in petroleum jerry cans for smuggling.
The operation that led to the interception of the product recently took place along Ajilete in Egbado South, Ogun State.
Disclosing this in a press briefing on Friday, March 8, 2024, the Controller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, said the concealment wss not only illegal but also exposes the potential consumers to the risk of eating contaminated grains that have ingested poisonous properties possibly from premium motor spirit (PMS), diesel, or other petroleum products.
He said the operation was part of the numerous achievements of the anti-smuggling exploits of the Unit in the year 2024.
The Comptroller also reeled out other achievements of the Unit in line with Federal Government policies at ensuring food security for its teeming population as well as addressing the high cost of living which the Comptroller General of Customs and its management are pursuing with vigor.
“Due to violation of various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the federal government import and export prohibition guidelines, we vigorously and relentlessly carried out our anti-smuggling campaign which resulted in a total number of 93 seizures, arrest of 9 suspects made to prevent smuggling and protect our national economy. The seizures made are worth a total duty paid value of N751,127,025
“These outcomes were achieved despite the unrepentant behaviours of economic saboteurs who deployed many tricks and antics to beat our checks but they failed.
“A reference case is the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice in petroleum jerrycans along Ajilete in Ogun state which is not only illegal but also exposes the potential consumers to the risk of eating contaminated grains that have ingested poisonous properties possibly from premium motor spirit (PMS), diesel, or other petroleum products.
“We also prevented the smuggling of eleven exotic used vehicles worth over N200m into the country through our area of responsibility. Smugglers of these vehicles met our stiff resistance against their duty evasion and deviant behaviour.
“The sum of N78,164,255.20 was recovered as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid.
“As usual, rice was top on the list of our February 2024 seizures in terms of volume and value.
“A total of 3,779 X 50kg bags of suspected foreign rice equivalent to over 7 trailer loads worth over N365m were seized from various parts of the South West. Other items seized in the month under review include one locally made gun and six pieces of empty cartridges at Abeokuta road, 731 parcels of Indian hemp weighing 482kg, 1 X 40ft container found to contain 286 cartons of new rubber slippers, 7 units of used motorcycles, 28,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) and 2,420 pieces of used tyres.
“Worthy of note is the interception of export bound three trucks headed to the Republic of Benin laden with 880 bags of white beans, 584 bags of onions and 18 bags of dry pepper at Ajilete/Idiroko road in Ogun state. Instead of seizing the food items, this Unit ensured the trucks were re-directed to the Nigerian markets where they were sold to Nigerians by the owners.
“As we approach the Easter celebration, we have strengthened our intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations strategies to forestall any attempt by smugglers and duty evaders to circumvent the law. “
