Customs FOU ‘A’ Foils Smuggling Attempts, Seizes N1.5 Billion Worth of Illicit Items

.Hands Over 4 Suspects, Seizures to NAFDAC, NDLEA

.Generates N20.7 Million in Three Weeks

ZAINAB JUNAID

Since taking over the helm of leadership at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service twenty-three days ago, Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu has continued to showcase his strategic skills in various dimensions.

This has led to the successful arrest of four suspects in connection with massive seizures of illicit items worth one billion, five hundred and one million, three hundred and twelve thousand, four hundred and twenty-five naira (N1,501,312,425.00) only.

The seizures followed Comptroller Shuaibu’s commitment to leveraging his extensive experience to effectively navigate the complexities of the Unit.

Some of the seized vehicles

He deployed intelligence-driven operations to frustrate the work of economic saboteurs, ensuring his strategies align with the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

A truck loaded with Rice smuggled into the Country

At the maiden briefing held on Friday at the Unit in Ikeja, Comptroller Shuaibu revealed how, since taking over his new role, he has initiated a transformation of the Unit’s operational strategies, shifting from traditional stop-and-search methods to more intelligence-driven operations that reduce unnecessary delays.

The Anti- Smuggling Czar, Comptroller MS Shuaibu, his Officers, and Representatives of NDLEA, NAFDAC at the briefing in Ikeja

These methods, according to him have resulted in the seizures of 7X20ft containers filled with illicit items.

He highlighted notable seizures to include: “MSKU 8551954 – Used tyres and vehicle; SYDU 1479614 = foreign parboiled rice; MSKU 7751689 = foreign parboiled rice; MSKU 798700 = foreign parboiled rice; ZCSU 8845072 = New shoes; ZCSU 7055181= New Clothes; PIDU 4258491= New bags”.

Comptroller Shuaibu also informed that the Unit’s renewed efforts have significantly bolstered it’s strategies to secure Nigeria’s southwestern states borders against economic saboteurs.

The Unit PRO, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi, taking the Area Controller and other Officers to where the seizures were kept

He said, “Within the short period of three(3) weeks, this Unit has inflicted substantial losses on these non-state actors through the interception of numerous illegal goods. Notable seizures include: 4,085 bags of foreign parboiled rice, each weighing 50kg—equivalent to seven (7) trailer loads; 15 illegally imported foreign-used vehicles; 82 packs of Tramadol, with 10 sachets per pack; 246 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa; 290 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS); 12 Bales and 4 sacks of used clothing.

“Four (4) suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, which have a duty paid value (DPV) of one billion, five hundred and one million, three hundred and twelve thousand, four hundred and twenty-five naira (N1, 501,312,425.00) only”.

Comptroller Shuaibu showcasing some of the vehicles seized

The Unit’s helmsman equally announced a total of twenty million, seven hundred and nine-two thousand, three hundred and seventy- two naira, ninety-nine kobo (N20,792, 372.99) only, as revenue generated through demand notices from irregular importation and auction sales of seized petroleum products.

“Our Unit generates revenue primarily through the interventions executed by our personnel, issuing Demand Notices (DN) where shortfalls are identified, and conducting auction sales of seized perishable goods. We have diligently optimized these revenue streams to ensure accurate recovery of funds. As of today, we have successfully recovered a total of twenty million, seven hundred and nine-two thousand, three hundred and seventy- two naira, ninety-nine kobo (N20, 792, 372.99) only, through the issuance of demand notices from irregular importation and auction sales of seized petroleum products,” he said.

Speaking on efforts deployed to facilitate legitimate trade, Comptroller Shuaibu informed that the Command’s intelligence driven operations have been designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit all stakeholders and the public through barrier-free operations.

His words, “In an era characterized by increasing global integration, efficient trade facilitation is vital for unlocking economic potential, creating jobs, and fostering regional integration. I take this responsibility seriously. Our intelligence driven operations are designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive trading environment that will benefit our stakeholders and the public through barrier-free operations, as we intend to collapse all patrol points within Lagos metropolis”.

Comptroller Shuaibu further reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling and protecting the Nigerian economy and citizens.

Meanwhile, in line with the directive of the Service to foster inter-agency collaboration, the seized Cannabis Sativa and Tramadol and the four suspects were handed over to representatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively for further investigation and prosecution.

Receiving the wraps of Cannabis Sativa, Deputy Commander of Narcotics, FESTAC, Abdul A Maiyaki, NDLEA, said, “The collaboration between the two agencies is a welcome development, and our collaboration is key, the spirit of Esprit de Corp is very strong between us and we are happy to take over transferred lots of compressed Cannabis Sativa, even though there is no suspect, we will conduct discreet investigations to see if we can trace owners of the seized items for further investigations, arrest, and prosecution.”

Also, Pharm. Shaba Mohammed, Director of Investigation Enforcement Directorate, IED, and Chairman Federal Council on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs at NAFDAC, noted, “We are happy that these items are being taken out of circulation, as this will help reduce insecurity in the country. We will continue with investigations to determine the route through which the products get into the country.”

The Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service is poised for further transformation under the leadership of Comptroller Mohammed Salisu Shuaibu. With his extensive experience and strategic approach, the Unit is likely to achieve even more significant milestones in the future.