Customs seize N276 million goods in Bauchi

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Bauchi, have seized contraband goods valued at N276, 698, 800 between January and September, 2019.

The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Peters Olugboyega, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Tuesday, at the Zonal headquarters in Bauchi.

He said the Operatives made a seizure of Pangolin shells worth N220.5 million on 9th August, 2019 along Mubi-Michika road axis.

According to him: “On the 9th August, 2019, the operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D’ Bauchi while on credible information along Mubi-Michika axis spotted people removing sacks from a broken down vehicle parked by the road side. On sighting the official patrol vehicle, these people took to their heels into the nearby bush, their action triggered curiosity from our operatives.

“Upon searching these abandoned sacks, it was found to contain 200Kg of Pangolin Shells classifiable under HS Code 0507.1090.00 of Common External Tariff (CET) with the total DPV of Two Hundred and Twenty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (#220, 500,000.00).”

He also said that on the 5th August 2019, the Operatives made another seizure along Jengre-Jos axis of One (1) Used Nissan Vannete Bus with Reg. No. SGD 831 XA carrying 50 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of Two Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (#2, 890,800.00) only.

The Zonal Comptroller said that on the 5th August 2019, the Operatives made another seizure along Darazo-Gombe axis of 20 Bales of Second Hand Clothing (worn cloth) with the total DPV of #1, 920,000.00 only.

He added that on the 27th July 2019, the Operatives made seizure along Jos-Bauchi road of 18 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of #259,200.00 only.

According to Olugboyega: “On the 5th July 2019; the Operatives made seizure along Zaki-Azare axis of Four (4) Used Volkswagen Golf with Registration No. AE 492 AGA, AH 130 KTG, AA 889 TWD and AG 71 GML carrying 182Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of CET with the total DPV of Six Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (#6, 940,800.00) only.

“On the 30th June 2019; the Operatives made another seizure along Zaki-Potiskum axis of One (1) Used Volkswagen Golf with Registration No. AA 710 DJA, carrying 46 Bags of Foreign Rice classifiable under Chapter 1006 of Common External Tariff (CET) with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of One Million, Seven Hundred and Forty Two Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (#1, 742,400.00) only.

‘It may interest you to know that the Unit has from January to September made series of Seizures, ranging from Foreign Rice, Used tyres, Foreign Spaghetti, Second Hand Clothing (Worn Cloth) and Animal Products with the Total Duty Paid Value (DPV) Two Hundred and Seventy Sixty Million, Six Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (#276, 698,800.00) only,” he added.

He said the unprecedented seizures were made as a result of intelligence and determination on the NCS operatives in making the Zone unbearable for smugglers and appreciated the efforts of other sister agencies, especially the Department of State Services for giving them intelligence in making some of the seizures.

Olugboyega pleaded with Community Leaders to talk to their people to support the efforts of the Officers/Men of the Service in suppressing smuggling in the Country.

“The ongoing closure of borders otherwise known as “Border Drill” is to enforce compliant of ECOWAS Trade Agreement/Protocol among member Nations’ which has started yielding positively with unprecedented rise in revenue generation, reduction in insecurity, wealth and Job creation,” he said.

He warned that: “To those unscrupulous elements, I want them to know that there is no hidden place for them and whatever their strategy, we will always be ahead.”