The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector II, South-West Zone, Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service , has announced the seizure of prohibited items valued at N1.3 billion in the third quarter of 2024.
While briefing journalists on the sector's activities for July and August 2024 at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, the Coordinator, DC Mohammed Shuaibu, stated that the team has made significant progress in curbing smuggling activities and cross-border crimes.
The seized items include 4,019 jerrycans of 30-litre premium motor spirit; 2,633 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice; 790 pieces of codeine; 868 jumbo bales; 154 blocks of cannabis sativa; and 135 sacks of used footwear.
Other items include 15 units of fairly used cars, 5 means of conveyance, 4 trucks, and 2 motorcycles, among others.
"The prohibited items were seized during the period under review and deposited in six government warehouses across the sector, with a Duty Paid Value of N1,381,030,400 for violating various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Federal Government's import and export guidelines," Shuaibu stated.
He noted that 125 individuals were arrested for violating immigration laws and were immediately handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and prosecution where necessary.
Additionally, 2 suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures.
The coordinator further noted that N26.1 million was recovered through the issuance of debit notes on vehicles and other goods that were underpaid.
Shuaibu vowed to continue combating smuggling activities, deploying intelligence to apprehend offenders, and enhancing collaboration to deal with determined smugglers.
"We are still on top of our game. We will continue doing what we do best. If the smugglers are not relenting, neither are we. We will follow them to wherever they are, and if we catch them, we will prosecute them."
He called on stakeholders to educate their communities against smuggling activities, which he said harm the nation's economy and undermine national security.
0 Comments