Customs in Katsina State makes N50.6million seizures

*As Wada Chedi holds
Customs community relations forum

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of Katsina Area Command, of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), DC Wada Chedi, has identified effective community relations as important tool in sensitising people about the dangers of illicit trade to the nation’s economy.

He also said that effective community relations will enable people understand Customs procedures and the need to comply with the fiscal policy of the Federal Government on trade, and the role Customs plays in trade facilitation for economic growth.

DC Wada, gave these details during a programme on Customs community Consultative Forum, put together by his Command to deliberate on issues of Customs procedures.

The meeting held on October 11, 2021, was attended by officials of Katsina State Government, representatives of the Emirs of Katsina and Daura, representative of the Commissioner of Police, community leaders, trade Associations, members of ANLCA, NAGAFF, Civil Society Organisations, Tiger-nuts Associations, District Heads, and religious leaders.

According to the CAC, the objectives were to strengthen existing cordial working relations between the Service and stakeholders, to educate the public on Customs procedures, as well as the role of Customs in trade facilitation, compliance with Customs procedures in securing the border against proliferation of light arms and drugs smuggling.

In their remarks, representatives of Emirs of Katsina and Daura, appreciated the invitation and pledged to educate their subjects on the urgent need to comply with Customs procedures.

Also, the Civil Society group represented by Comrade Abdullahi Yamadi, mentioned issues of multiple check-points along Katsina-Jiba road, extortion of road users at various check-points and the use of under-aged males as Camp-boys by government security Agencies.

The forum provided a veritable platform for interaction among the participants, as goodwill messages were delivered by Assistant Comptroller-General, ACG Lawal Bagiwa (retired); and Comptroller U. K. Bello (retired).
They applauded the Command for its initiative in holding such important programme, even as they commended the efforts of DC Wada and his team in tackling smuggling in the area. They encouraged the Command to embark on more enlightenment programmes in television and radio stations.

The CAC responded to all issues raised appropriately.
He advised the public to report any act of misconduct by officers to the Command for disciplinary action, warning that the Service under the leadership of CGC Hameed Ali, would not condone indiscipline.

In the same vein, the Command made seizures worth over N50,665,860 (approximately N50.7million), from September 5 to October 8, 2021.

The seizures include 11 vehicles with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N28,296,000 (approximately N28.3million); and
other prohibited items worth N22,369,860 (N22.5million),
with a grand total of N50.7million, as shown above.

The vehicles include one Volkswagen valued at N810,000; one DAF 1900 Crane worth N9,450,000; two Peugeot 504 with fabricated tank loaded with petrol worth N270,000; Volkswagen Golf- 3 valued at 675,000; also another Volkswagen Golf worth N270,000;
Opel Vector with DPV of N945,000; Toyota Camry 2020 Model valued at N12.8million, among other Vehicles.

Other seized items were
184 bags of foreign rice worth N4,452,800; 549 cartons of foreign spaghetti with DPV of N2,635,200; 29 cartons of foreign macaroni worth N139,200; 24 jerrycans of vegetable oil valued at N528,000;
two cartons of medicament worth N2,100,000;
12 cartons of foreign tea pots worth N198,000; 236 packs of foreign black tea worth N44,880; 84 jerrycans of smuggled Petrol with DPV of N376,530; 14 motorcycles worth N1,176,000; 205 USB chargers valued at N102,500; 350 bags of beans worth N10,500,000; among other contraband items.

Addressing Journalists in the State during press conference, the CAC, stressed that his men are strategically positioned and would continue to raise the tempo of anti-smuggling operations to protect the nation’s economy.

OBSERVATION :
Our news inquest revealed that Katsina Command under the leadership of DC Wada, has been consistent in its war against smugglers sabotaging the economy, with seizures of various items often displayed before the press on monthly basis.