War against smuggling:
Customs in Katsina State on red alert !!!

Intercepts 12 vehicles, contraband worth over N65million

*As Committee investigates alleged attack on commissioner’s vehicle

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The news reaching our platform revealed that the Katsina Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is currently on red alert to thwart illegal activities of smugglers sabotaging the nation’s economy, in order to promote legitimate trade for greater economic growth.

The Command has not given smugglers any breathing space to carry out their criminal activities.

Financial Business inquest revealed that Katsina Command under the watch of DC Wada Chedi, as the Customs Area Controller (CAC),
has raised the tempo of anti-smuggling to the extent that illicit trade has drastically reduced in the State, even within the border communities.

Addressing reporters during a press conference, the CAC said his enforcement officers have been resilient and undeterred in anti-smuggling operations, such that illegitimate trade has reduced even in border communities where such illegality was prevalent in the past.

DC Wada, stressed that his operatives are working tirelessly to protect the economy from nefarious activities of saboteurs, who are after personal gains to the detriment of the growth of local industries.

Going further, the CAC took reporters round the Command to showcase seizures of 12 vehicles and different prohibited items made within one month, from August 4, 2021; to September 6, 2021.

These included
Mercedes Benz worth N1.8 million in Duty Paid Value (DPV). One Peugeot worth N135,000. KIA Sorento valued at N2.7 million.
Man Diesel tipper truck valued at N8.1 million. Another Man Diesel truck worth N8.1 million.

Others were Mini-bus worth 1.6 million. Peugeot 307 with DPV of N1.485,800.00 (approximately N1.5 million. Toyota Hilux Jeep 2020 model with DPV of N29.7million, as well as other vehicles, making a total of 12 vehicles, worth N55.8million.

Seized smuggled items included 92 gas cylinders (50kg each), worth N4.3 million in DPV. Four gas cylinders (25kg each), valued at N94,500.00.
25 gas cylinders (12.5kg each), worth N262,500.00. 128 Jerrycans of smuggled petrol (25litres each), worth N573,760.00.
104 Jerrycans of vegetable oil worth N466,180.00.
10 bags of animal feeds worth N52,500.00.
14 cartons of foreign milky creamer with DPV of N220,500.00.
14 cartons of foreign Couscous worth N67,200.00.
33 cartons of foreign spaghetti worth N158,400.00.

Others included foreign macaroni; Smuggled fertilizer; secondhand clothings among many seized items with DPV of N9.2 million.
The grand total for all the seized items is N65milliom.

In the same vein, responding to questions on alleged shooting at the convoy of the
State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftency Affairs, Hon. Umar Ya’u Gwajo-Gwajo, he said investigation is on-going on the matter.

The CAC explained;
“A committee has been set up to look at the case. The committee has commenced investigation already to ascertain the
circumstances surrounding such incident.

“So, let us allow the committee to do its work well. I don’t want a situation whereby we begin to pre-empt what the committee is doing.
Let the committee conclude investigation and submit its report accordingly.

“It is so unfortunate that such incident occurred.
On hearing about it, a committee was immediately set up and we are optimistic that the committee will carry out a thorough investigation.

More so, Gwajo-Gwajo’s convoy was said to have been allegedly shot at, while moving from Daura axis to Mai’Adua, within his hometown in the early hours of Tuesday.
Also, Daura – Mai’Adua highway is known by many residents of Katsina State to be a very volatile area, as it is a major road often used by smugglers in conveying their wares from neighbouring Niger Republic to Katsina State.

Therefore, DC Wada, gave assurance that the committee will carry out its assignment satisfactorily.

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