Over N110 million worth of illegal goods and smuggled goods have been confiscated by the Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit, Zone “D” Headquarters in Bauchi in just one month.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Abubakar Umar of the Comptroller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘D’ Headquarters Bauchi, revealed the information.
According to Umar, the unit has intercepted and seized prohibited and uncustomed items, including “448x 25 Jerry cans (11,200) liters of premium motor spirit, 192 bales and two sacks of second hand clothing, one hundred and forty cartons of foreign spaghetti, 125 pairs of desert and jungle boots, 47 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50 kg each, and Pangolin scales (9.40)kg,” in the month since he took over as the unit’s comptroller.
According to him, the total duty paid worth of all the things that were seized is N110,499,352, or one hundred and ten million, four hundred and ninety-nine thousand, three hundred and fifty two naira only.
By stating that the confiscated pangolin scales would be turned over to the appropriate agency in compliance with customs standard operating procedures for additional action, Umar reaffirmed the unit’s dedication to interagency cooperation.
“The premium motor spirit will be put up for public auction, and the proceeds will be deposited into the Federation account,” he stated.
He stated, “The current low cases of smuggling activities recorded during the period under review especially in the area of illegal trade in wild life, controlled drugs and narcotics as well as premium spirit is as a result of intensified patrol, intelligence-backed enforcement, commitment and professionalism of the Officers and men of the unit.
“Our Operative’s actions are in accordance with all extant laws as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, particularly sections 226 and 245.
“The Unit’s anti-smuggling Operations have been strengthened through increased collaboration with other security agencies and other regulatory government agencies.”
The comptroller insisted that the partnership had facilitated the exchange of intelligence and allowed for joint operations to dismantle smuggling networks operating in the zone.
He urged traders in the area to follow the law and refrain from engaging in illicit activity, stating that there will be no haven for those who do so.
According to PUNCH, the nine states of Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Plateau, Benue, and Nassarawa are covered by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone “D” Headquarters in Bauchi.
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