FOU Customs nets over N5.9bn in 2017 …Arrests 179 Suspects …Highest revenue in history of FOU- Says Comptroller Uba

FOU Customs nets over N5.9bn 

.Arrests 179  Suspects

.Highest revenue in history of FOU-  Says Comptroller Uba

By Udeme Clement

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit ,FOU, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos has made outstanding performance in 2017, as the Unit recorded a huge sum of over N5.9billion, being the highest revenue so far realised in the history of FOU.

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of FOU, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba, disclosed this to Financial Business and Maritime News through the Public Relations Officer, PRO, Jerry Attah.

He explained that the Unit achieved this remarkable result, having intensified its anti-smuggling operations, and intercepted various contraband with Duty Paid Value ,DPV, of over N4billion from January to December 2017.

His assertion: “Similarly, the Unit through its interventions recovered  N1.9billion from duty payments and demand notices on general goods, which tried to beat the system from seaports, airports and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value as well as shortchange in duty payment  meant for the Federal Government.  Cumulatively, over N5.9billion was realised in 2017.

“Looking at 2017 under review, 179 suspects were arrested in connection to 1,046 different seizures, comprising foreign rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical products and various general merchandise.

“Despite the challenges,  in 2017 we recorded the highest seizures and revenue so far in the history of FOU. We achieved this feat through the support and leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs ,CGC, Hameed Ali  and the entire Management Team of NCS. We thank them for their efforts in recognising hard work.   Without the Management motivation and necessary support, we would not have achieved this feat”.

 In the same vein, Comptroller Uba commended the commitment and diligence of Officers and Men of  FOU Zone ‘A’ for thwarting the antics of some dare devil smugglers who used different methods to sabotage the system. He further charged his officers to be professional and diligent in performing their statutory responsibilities in 2018; most especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations, by making sure all revenue leakages are blocked.

Comptroller Mohammed Uba enjoined all hands to be on deck in the fight against these economic saboteurs who do not mean well for the economy. He added,  “Smuggling is a global phenomenon, which cannot be curbed entirely but can be brought to its barest minimum. We appreciate all security and sister agencies like Nigerian Army, the  Police, NDLEA ,NAFDAC, SON and others that rendered logistics support and cooperation towards winning the war against smuggling in the Southwest zone.”

The CAC warned all smugglers and their accomplices to desist from  illegality and invest their money in legitimate business, as the Unit has mapped out new operational modalities that will tackle them in all ramifications. “For the avoidance of doubt, government’s policy banning  importation of vehicles and rice through the land borders still stands. As such,  we are ever ready and equipped to enforce the policy accordingly”, he enthused.

 Uba while thanking the media for its support/reportage in 2017, called for their continuous partnership with the Service in advocacy campaign against the evil of smuggling to the nation’s economy in 2018.