Customs Zone “B”seizes contrabands worth over N769m in Kaduna

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Nigeria Customs Service Zone “B”Kaduna said it has seized unregistered Alcoholic Beverages and other goods worth over N769, 465,907.46 from February 17th to March 28, 2024, in its area of operation.
The Comptroller of the Zone, Mr Dalha Chedi asserted this during a press conference held in Kaduna yesterday.
Mr Dalha Chedi stressed that the zone remained resolute, committed to its activities and vigilant in the fight against smuggling.
He explained that within the period under review, Zone “B” Kaduna recorded a total of 98 seizures of 21 different items which included contraband foreign parboiled rice, used foreign shoes, petroleum products, vehicles and pasta among others with the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N769, 465,907.46.
The Comptroller opined that 372 bags of offensive rice that were intercepted by operatives of the Unit were deposited at the Kwara Area Command.
He attributed the successes to the eagle-eye Officers and Men who were constantly responding to the ever-newer changing tactics of smugglers, who deployed ever-new methods in concealing smuggled rice in local flour sacks to disguise the smuggled rice as flour.
Mr Dalha Chedi assured that the officers and men will not relent in their efforts to ensure that no amount of trick, blackmail or orchestrated attacks will dampen their resolve.
“These die-hard smugglers that sponsor mobs to attack operatives or organize to stage illegal demonstrations against customs cannot discourage and deter them the discharge of duties,” he said.
The Comptroller also advised them to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate trade, or have to deal with and face the wrath of the law and the full consequences.
Other items listed also include 698 bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50kg each),367 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni, Couscous 136 Bales of Foreign Secondhand clothing and 715 Jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (25 Litres each)
He also said 65 Jerry cans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25 Litres each) 12 Unit Used Vehicles and 4 Units of Means of Conveyance were among the seized goods
According to him, 9 Cartons of Chakapain Xtra (50mg)
425.5 Cartons of Foreign Milky Creamer, Milk Powder and
136 pieces Foreign used Tyres were seized
Other items are 14 Bags of Foreign Tiger Nuts,151 Cartons of unregistered Alcoholic Beverages
1314 sachets and 68 Cartons Foreign Butte, 40 Cartons Expired Foreign General Goods
120 Cartons of Foreign Eva soap
Other items
The Comptroller also mentioned that,170 bags of sodium sulphate (25 each),20 cartons of Foreign Dye Powder,600 bags of Sokoto cement used in concealing items, 379 assorted general goods intercepted at Daura for being improperly exported.
400 cartons of unregistered Organic Fertilizer
He also called on the attention of the general public concerning the act of altering the VIN (Chassis Number) of Vehicles by smugglers to evade arrest or to manipulate the payment of duty.
He also calls on concerned citizens to always examine the VIN on the windscreen and that on the chassis (skeleton) of the vehicle they intend to buy because it is an offence under S.236 (b) of the NCS Act 23 and the offender is liable to a fine of N2, 000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of two years, or both.