The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), Ikeja, Lagos, has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of N3.24 billion.
The Unit also recovered N728.98 million in revenue through enforcement actions targeting under-declaration, false declarations, revenue evasion and other customs-related infractions.
The seizures, according to the Unit, were achieved through intelligence-led operations, enhanced risk profiling, compliance checks and targeted interventions along major trade corridors within its area of jurisdiction.
Among the items intercepted were 4,956 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 50kg each, equivalent to eight trailer loads, as well as 12 foreign-used vehicles.
The seizures also included 2,683 parcels of synthetic cannabis, known as Sativa, weighing 1,439.9kg; 49 parcels of Ghanaian Loud weighing 26.1kg; one parcel of crystal methamphetamine weighing 0.35kg and 13 parcels of granular cannabis weighing 1.35kg.
The Unit further intercepted 240,000 tablets of Tramadol, 12,000 tablets of Hypnox, 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, and 964 25-litre jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, amounting to 24,100 litres.
Other seized items comprised 26 cartons of foreign vegetable oil containing four five litre units each, 686 cartons of foreign poultry products, 414 bales of used clothing and 2,947 used tyres, among other prohibited goods.
The Comptroller of FOU ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, described the revenue recovery as encouraging, stressing that the Unit would intensify efforts to identify and recover funds lost through false declarations, under-invoicing and other customs fraud.
Aliyu urged importers, exporters and licensed customs agents to make accurate declarations and comply fully with applicable customs laws and regulations, assuring compliant businesses that legitimate trade would continue to receive the support of the Service.
He said the interception of prohibited agricultural products, used vehicles, clothing and tyres would help protect domestic industries, strengthen food security and safeguard government revenue, while the seizure of illicit drugs and controlled substances would help protect public health.
The Comptroller also noted that the recovery of elephant tusks underscored the Service’s contribution to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. He attributed the latest enforcement successes to intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter agency collaboration and information from stakeholders and members of the public.
Aliyu said FOU ‘A’ would maintain a balance between effective border enforcement and trade facilitation, while sustaining its zero tolerance for smuggling and revenue fraud. He called for continued cooperation from the business community, border communities and other stakeholders to strengthen compliance, protect Nigeria’s economy and secure the nation’s borders.