Economic sabotage: Customs at FOU zone ‘A’ talks tough * Records over N17.4bn seizures *Raises N1.6bn DN

Economic sabotage: Customs at FOU zone ‘A’ talks tough

* Records over N17.4bn seizures

*Raises N1.6bn DN

By Udeme Clement :

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service, is giving illicit traders sabotaging the efforts of Federal Government in growing the economy a tough time through massive seizures of prohibited items.

The report reaching our News platform reveals that the Unit recorded seizures worth over N17.4 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV), from January to September 2020

The Unit also realised a huge sum of N1.6 billion from Demand Notice (DN), raised on cargoes under-declared, wrongly classified and falsely declared by importers.

The seizures include;
117 units of vehicles and general goods intercepted for various offences during the period under review.

The Public Relations Officer of the Unit,
DSC Theophilus Duniya, made these details available to our Correspondent.

His words, “The Federal Operations Unit of the Service was created to complement the Area Commands in ensuring that revenue accruable to Federal Government is not lost to desperate and unpatriotic smugglers through their sharp practices.

“Consequent upon this, the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Usman Yahaya and his team are strongly determined to block all revenue leakages, smuggling of prohibited items in the interest of national security across the South-West zone”.

He pointed out, “The Unit had in the past intercepted containers laden with pump action rifles, tramadol drugs and smuggled cannabis among other dangerous substances, as well as items that would have succeeded in getting into wrong hands.

“We remain resolute at enforcing government’s ban on importation of all prohibited goods into the country; especially now that the land borders are closed.

“Importers are hereby advised to make proper declarations and ensure compliance with extant clearance procedure.

“However, smugglers are also warned to desist from sabotaging the nation’s economy through their nefarious activities.

“We shall remain undeterred and resolute in discharging our duties in accordance with the extant laws without fears or intimidation. We will continue to support and facilitate legitimate trades.

“We thank our esteemed stakeholders and patriotic citizens for their unflinching support. We solicit for useful and timely information to serve our nation better”.