From November to December 2022, 161 different illicit items totaling a duty-paid value of N351,508,658.56 million were successfully seized, according to the Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit Zone “B” Kaduna.
Remember that the FOU Zone ‘B’ consists of 10 states in the geopolitical Northwest and North Central zones, with Kaduna serving as its administrative center.
In a statement released by the unit’s public relations officer, Isah Sulaiman, the Customs Comptroller, Al-Bashir Hamisu, said the unit had seized 2,114 bags of foreign parboiled rice (each weighing 50 kilograms), 126 bales and sacks of foreign used clothing, 72 sacks of cannabis sativa, 65 bags of foreign parboiled rice weighing 25 kilograms, 818 cartons of foreign spaghetti, macaroni,
In addition, there are Sacks of Foreign Used Shoes, 3 Sacks of Foreign Tomato Paste, 13 Sacks of Foreign Hides and Skin (Ponmo), 113 Bundles of Foreign Textiles, 10 Cartons of Foreign Flavored Chewing Gum, 7x25Kg Bags of Foreign Flour, 55 Pieces of Foreign Used Tyres, 438x25litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 87x50Kg Bags of Foreign Fert
Comptroller Al-Bashir Hamisu also reported that the unit made what he called a “spectacular seizure” of 72 sacks of marijuana, bringing to light yet another ruse used by smugglers and method of concealment. This was done in accordance with the Service’s mandate to stop the illegal importation of intoxicants, according to Comptroller Al-Bashir Hamisu.
In one instance, the drug trafficker hid the marijuana inside of bags of cassava flour (popularly known as Garri). With the help of an informant, the Unit’s operators stopped the marijuana in the Sokoto-Zamfara axis and brought it to the office. said he.
In an effort to foster inter-agency cooperation, he stated that the marijuana that had been seized will shortly be sent to the Kaduna State Command Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
He claims that the Unit is making progress toward its goal of reducing smuggling within the Zone. “It is on record that the Unit made a total 949 interceptions/seizures at different locations in the Zone from 1 January to 20 December 2022 with combined DPV of N2,345,155,577.38, which shows an increase when compared with duty paid value of N1, 319,332,763.00 in the corresponding year of 2021,” he says. he added
Comptroller Hamisu praised the diligent work of the Customs Operatives and said the success of the Unit was due to the exchange of intelligence with other sister agencies and efficient performance management.
In order to stop the scourge of smuggling in Nigeria, he also encouraged Nigerians to provide information.
Similarly, the Comptroller advised the smugglers to avoid the red zones throughout the holiday season, saying, “I want them to know that our agents are on red alert and watchful to curb smuggling operations during the festive time with a view to catching and prosecuting them.”
He also expressed his appreciation for the Management Team and Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali (ret.) for inspiring and assisting the Unit in carrying out its responsibilities.
