By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ Owerri in the year 2016 recorded a giant stride in its anti-smuggling activities with the seizures of a total of 307 contraband valued at N4.7 billion.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Onuigbo Ifeoma, the agency said the above figure is a combination of both the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.9 billion and an underpayment recovered as revenue of N770.3 million.
The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Comptroller Mohammed, Uba G. who made this known while giving an annual report for the year 2016, said that the unit which has since driven many smugglers out of their illicit businesses consequent upon its sustained aggressive onslaught against smuggling; arrested a total of 234 suspects while 24 cases were still pending in court in connection with the seizures.
A breakdown of the prohibited items seized include: 169 motor vehicles with a DPV of N1.01 billion, cartons of narcotics (Indian hemp/hard drugs) with a DPV of N366.8 million and 1,759 pairs, 85 cartons and 68 sacks/bales of foot wears with a DPV of N28.2 million.
Others are: 7,795 soap/detergents/toiletries with a DPV of N58.9 million, 107,006 cartons of imported frozen poultry products with a DPV of N1.4 billion, 1,018 pieces and 561 bales of bags/suitcases which had a DPV of N134.9 million in addition to 5,794 rethread and used pneumatic tyres bearing a DPV of N97.6 million.
The rest are: 50 cartons and 147 pieces of beverages/confectionary/juices with a DPV of N3.2 million, 14,006 bags of rice which has a DPV of N447.8 million, 2,333 cartons and 1,598 pieces of furniture and parts thereof with a DPV of N173 million and 273 cartons of 2 litres of vegetable oil with a DPV of N9.8 million.
The unit said it also seized 1,089 pieces of machinery/mechanical appliances/parts which had a DPV of N7.8 million as well as 2,484 electrical/electronics/parts whose DPV stood at N3.9 million and 951 bales, 470 cartons and 18 sacks of other goods with DPV of N239.4 million as among other seizures made within the year.
This, the unit said was in contrast to the total seizure made in the preceding year (2015) which recorded a total sum of N2.8 billion comprising a DPV of N2.7 billion and an underpayment recovered of N129.6 million.
Comptroller Mohammed Uba said that the FOU zone ‘C’ would continue to strategize and re-strategize to bring smugglers, their agents and collaborators to their knees.
He regretted that the federal government had continued to lose huge revenue as a result of the unpatriotic activities of smugglers who are poised to acquire wealth through the short cut, and warned such individuals to desist forthwith in their own interest.
He also advised Nigerians not to use the global economic down turn as an excuse to ruin themselves and their families as the NCS would not entertain any sacred cow in its determination to make smuggling a thing of the past in the country.
Mohammed advised the youth to always preoccupy themselves with ideas and visions that could assist them realize their potentials as leaders of tomorrow instead of indulging in acts and conducts capable of impeding their success in life. He however advised Nigerians who are into genuine and legitimate business of buying and selling not to entertain any fear as the NCS would continue to be guided by the cardinal principle of justice, equity and fairness devoid of victimization or oppression in the discharge of her duties.
Adedapo Adesanya