Customs in Katsina State strikes again:

Customs in Katsina State strikes again:

Seizes petrol, gas cylinders, contraband worth N31.5million

*As Compt Wada warns against illegal importation through Jibiya border 

The Katsina Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has again unleashed its anti-smuggling onslaught against economic saboteurs, seizing prohibited items worth over N31.5million in Duty Paid Value (DPV).

These seizures were recorded in only four weeks, from April 1, to Wednesday April 27, 2022.

This remarkable performance is coming just one month after the same Command made massive seizures of contraband worth millions of Naira through its anti-smuggling drive within the border communities in its area of responsibility.

Addressing Journalists in Katsina State during a press conference, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Compt Wada Chedi said the formation is increasing its surveillance by the day to thwart illicit trade within the State.

Speaking further, Compt Wada, who is uncompromising in his enforcement duties warned strictly that the ban on export and import of contraband remains in place despite reopening of Jibiya border.

He emphasised :
“Contraband must not be imported into our economic environment,
because the Federal Government aims at making the country self-reliant in local production.

“We are very vigilant and will intensify surveillance on all the borders, as well as other routes to ensure total compliance with the directives from government”.

Apparently, by now smugglers sabotaging the nation’s economy in Katsina State must be counting their losses, as Compt Wada and his team are leaving no stone unturned in seizing prohibited items coming into that axis through the  back door.

More so, their records of anti-smuggling operations are unprecedented in the  State and usually presented on monthly basis since Compt Wada  came on board.  Katsina Customs Command under the leadership of  Wada has rattled die-hard smugglers to a stand-still.

The items seized were displayed in the open before reporters who attended the briefing.

The seizures include Toyota RAV- 4 Jeep with REG. NO: ABS 919 AE – worth N4,320,000.00; used Peugeot 504 with REG. NO. AH 489 KMC – worth N135,000.00; another used Peugeot 504, REG NO. FW 490 ABC – valued at N135,000.00; Toyota Carina with REG. NO: AH 213 DBT, valued at
N351,000.00; another Toyota
Carina with REG. NO: XA 652 XA – worth N351,000.00 and used boxer BUS with REG NO: BMA 02_XA – valued at N2,025,C00.00;

Others were used GOLF with REG. NO: A 624 GWK – worth N432,000.00;
GOLF 3 WAGON with REG. NO: FTA 764 GWK – worth N472,500.00 and another used Bus with REG. NO: AA S84 TTA – worth N405,000.00, making a total DPV of N8,626,500.00 million for the vehicles.

Other seized items include foreign rice worth N8,756,000.00; 244 cartons of foreign spaghetti – valued at N1,464,000.00; 40 cartons of foreign macaroni – worth N240,000.00; 39 jerrycans of vegetables oil – worth N858,000.00; 95 Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol – worth N431,063.00.

125 pieces of Cow-skin worth 918,750.00; 75 gas cylinders – worth €6,300,000.00; 43 gas cylinders- (40kg each) worth N1,896,300.00;
25 gas cylinders (12kg each) – worth N735,000.00; among other seized items, with total DPV of N22,827,613.00; making grand total of N31,454,113.00 (approximately N31.5million).

Compt Wada is among the newly promoted Officers decorated by the Service recently.  He was elevated from the rank of a Deputy Comptroller (DC) to  Comptroller of Customs. His elevation has been described by many maritime stakeholders and officers as promotion well deserved by merit of hardwork, dedication and total commitments to the Service.