In Kaduna, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “B” has confiscated approximately 98 contraband items, including unregistered alcoholic beverages, over the course of two months.
During a press briefing on Thursday, the Comptroller of the zone, Dalha Chedi, made this revelation.
Operatives of the zone conducted various seizures of goods between February 17 and March 28, amounting to a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769.465.
During the review period, a total of 98 seizures were made, comprising 21 different items, such as contraband foreign parboiled rice, used foreign shoes, petroleum products, vehicles, and pasta.
Chedi stated that the seized items included foreign parboiled rice, spaghetti, macaroni, couscous, secondhand clothing, premium motor spirit, refined vegetable oil, used vehicles, and various other goods.
The notable seizures included 372 bags of the offensive rice intercepted and deposited at the Kwara Area Command.
Chedi emphasized the continuous efforts of his officers and men in adapting to the changing tactics employed by smugglers, such as hiding smuggled rice within local flour sacks.
He reiterated the Customs Service’s commitment to thwart any attempts to undermine their operations and urged smugglers to refrain from sabotaging the nation’s economy by engaging in legitimate trade.
Addressing the issue of smugglers altering Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to avoid detection, he advised the public to verify VINs before purchasing vehicles to avoid legal consequences.
He expressed appreciation to the Customs leadership for their support and encouragement, as well as to the public for their cooperation.
Chedi recommended that vehicle owners utilize the 90-day window provided for duty documentation regularization and assured that Customs Zone “B” will continue to fulfill its mandate of safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and ensuring compliance with customs regulations.