By Anthony Nwachukwu
In keeping with its renewed resolve on zero tolerance for smuggling, the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it successfully intercepted seven containers of items, including cutlasses, that failed the import prohibition guidelines.
The seizures, with a duty paid value (DPV) of N292,244,857.00, included 2x40ft containers with 12,000 pieces of cutlasses and machetes, a statement from the Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abubakar Usman, quoted Compt. Babatunde Olomu to say.
Others were 2x40ft containers with 4,129 cartons of frozen hen, 1x40ft container with 368 jumbo bales of used clothing, and 1x40ft container of expired pharmaceuticals.
The imports were against Schedule 3 of the revised import prohibition list of the Common External Tariff (CET) and violated section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, Compt. Olomu explained.
He disclosed that the seizures followed a combination of intelligence gathering and diligent enforcement in ensuring that no consignment exits Apapa Port or any terminal under the command without proper examination.
“As a working principle, the command will continually sustain and improve on trade facilitation and maximum revenue collection without compromising the enforcement of our extant laws as they pertain to false declaration, concealment, under-declaration and under-valuation,” Olomu added.
He restated that the command will continue to enforce the requirements for sister-regulatory agencies like NAFDAC in the case of food and drugs, and strict implementation of the end-user certificate rules for products that require it from relevant authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
He further reiterated the warning by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, against the smuggling of prohibited items, adding that the command would keep ensuring that only compliant import and export consignments are allowed through the Apapa Port.
Olomu, who said the seized items would be handed over to the appropriate agency for further investigation and regulatory action, further commended the continuous support and cordial relationship with government agencies in the anti-smuggling drive.
