Customs in Kaduna rattles smugglers, records N2.9bn seizures

Customs in Kaduna rattles smugglers, records N2.9bn seizures

..As Compt Wada warns economic saboteurs 

Smugglers engaging in illicit trade
within Kaduna State must be ready to suffer huge financial losses, as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of  that Unit, Compt Wada Chedi, is a no-nonsense anti-smuggling officer, who will leave no stone unturned in frustrating economic saboteurs.

Already, within a short period of his assumption in office, as CAC of Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B Kaduna, Compt Wada and his men have made seizures worth N2,888,460,294.68 (approximately N2.9billion).

Addressing Journalists during a press conference at the Unit, Compt Wada said : “Our primary assignment is that of suppression of smuggling and the combat of all anti-economic activities in all ramifications, which we do through vigorous customs host community relationship and partnership with all relevant agencies of government.

“So far, the Unit has recorded a total of 264 seizures of 21 different items from the date of my resumption still now. This clearly speaks of our resolve as a Unit to continue to improve on our strategies and overall performance by building on the strong foundations we inherited”.

Compt Wada went on : “While l wish to immediately draw your attention to the fact that the closure of all land borders with Niger Republic is in full force, l wish to remind all and sundry that our Unit will continue to ensure full compliance with the directives of the leadership and management of Nigeria Customs Service, saddled with the duty of implementing the directives of Federal Government.

“Our Unit will continue to leverage on the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in terms of all operational processes aimed at achieving optimal results.

“I call on all stakeholders, especially traders and business people, including all Nigerians to eschew all activities that are in violation of the customs extant laws, so that we can continue to respect ourselves and support the development and growth of our national objectives; as we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all acts of smuggling and anti-economic activities are fully challenged and the full force of the law brought to bear.”

He stressed: “We are not unaware that within the ember months, especially this yuletide period, many would want to engage in illegal activities, smugglers and all other unscrupulous traders are warned to steer clear of Zone B, our men are fully on ground and combat ready to act in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), as enshrined in Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.”

The statistics of detentions and seizures made within the period under review include
61 Used Vehicles worth N2,073,835,718.23; 18 Means of conveyance valued at N236,386,387.47; 2991 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each) worth N202,202,737.20; 25 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (25Kg each) worth N994,815.00; 292 Foreign Refined Vegetable Oils (25litres each) with Duty Paid Value of N17,943.400.00;
2131 Cartons of Spaghetti, Macaroni & Couscous worth N17,972,861.32.

Others are 640 Bales of Secondhand Clothings Value at N137,356,492.15;
147 Sacks of Foreign Secondhand shoes with DPV of N21,957,573.75;
360 Cartons of Frozen Poultry Products worth N20,308,932.00;
120 Cartons of Foreign Pomade worth N8,973,421.20; 98 Jack Knives worth 1,242,961.44; 34 Cartons of Foreign Condensed Milk worth N3,808,451.20;
1972 Jerry cans of PMS (25 litres each) with monetary value of N22,975,811.15.

“20 Bundles of Foreign Used Tyres worth N917,978.40; 16 Cartons of Foreign Hookah (Tobacco) worth N4,563,136.00; 337 Cartons of Foreign Cigarettes valued at N80,278,792.00;
78 Cartons of Foreign Medicaments worth N3,580,115.76; 870 Machetes worth N7,586,186.85; 212 Cartons of Foreign Milky Creamer worth N5,525,829.80; 76 Bags of Ammonium Sulphate (25Kg each) valued at N15,724,096.38; 76 Cartons of expired seasoning worth N4,679,073.38 and
10 Bags of Foreign Flour worth N695,614.00.

His words : “Above modest success is in lieu of our intelligence drive and improved strategies to raise our operational performances.

“I like to register my profound gratitude to our critical partners the Military, Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and all other sister agencies; and to assure them that the Unit will continue to partner with them accordingly.

“We have enjoyed their unwavering cooporation and support, so we solicit for greater working synergy”.