Smuggling: Customs Intercepts Bullet-proof Vehicles, Others Worth N2.2bn
Mr. Aliyu pointing at some of the seized bullet proof cars at the command, ikeja lagos.
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU, Zone A, Ikeja) of the Nigeria Customs Service , has intercepted various contrabands with a combined duty paid value (DPV) of N2, 017,953,507.
Among the seized items are 22 exotic vehicles, 11,303 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent of 18 trailers), 2,410 frozen poultry products, 853 jerry cans of vegetable oil and 245 parcels of Indian hemp. Others include 4x40ft containers of unprocessed wood, 2,017 bales of used clothing, 283 cartons of various pharmaceuticals, all without NAFDAC Registration Number, among others.
The 22 vehicles under detention/seizure are nine bullet proof vehicles including 4 Lexus Jeep LX570 (2016 edition), 3 Land Cruiser Jeeps (2016) and 2 Mercedes Benz G63 and S550 (2014/2015). Other vehicles include 1 Toyota Rav4 (2015), 3 Toyota Hilux (2018), 2 Toyota Highlander (2018 edition), 1 Toyota Prado (2018), 1 Toyota Land cruiser (2016), 1 Toyota Corolla, 1 Toyota Fortuner (2017), 1 Toyota Sequoia, 1 Lexus RX 350, among others. These 22 exotic vehicles alone have a duty paid value of N1, 179,889,909.8. While some of the vehicles were intercepted at Ogere and Ijebu Ode expressway, the bullet proof vehicles were trailed and evacuated from some private residences in Victoria Island based on credible information.
The Controller, FOU Zone A, Ikeja, Mr Mohammed Aliyu disclosed this Thursday during his second press briefing since he assumed office as the Controller of the Unit on August 17, 2018.
Mohammed also stated that the unit recovered N220,025,938.8 from demand notices on vehicles and other general goods that tried to cut corners from seaports, airport and border stations in the guise of false declaration, transfer of value and shortchange in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria. Cumulatively, he disclosed, a total sum of N2, 237,979,446 was realized within the weeks under review, a feat he said was monumental.
Admitting that smuggling is a global phenomenon which cannot be curbed entirely, he strongly argued it could be reduced to the barest minimum. He gave kudos to the officers and men of the FOU A for thwarting what he referred to as the antics of dare-devil smugglers. “I urge the media and the general public to join us in the fight against smuggling considering the economic diversification effort of the Federal Government that is for the good and wellbeing of all Nigerians”.
In the spirit of inter-agency collaboration, the seized Indian hemp and the medicaments were handed over to NDLEA and NAFDAC for thorough investigation even as 28 suspects were arrested in connection with the 89 seizures. Mohammed advised economic saboteurs who see the yuletide season as a peak period for their nefarious acts to desist from such illegal businesses as the unit has devised other tactical strategies that would chase them out of such illegalities.
Mohammed commended the Comptroller – General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service for providing necessary incentives and logistics that brought about this feat.
