Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has seized smuggled goods worh N91, 518, 928.
The Area Comptroller, Ben Oramalugo, stated this while briefing newsmen at the Commmands Headquarters Birnin Kebbi on the successes recorded in the last two weeks by the command.
“since I assumed duty, following my
directive to our operatives to intensify vigilance across vast bushes and all the waterways within Kebbi State, our undaunted effort has started yielding positive result in anti smuggling activities”.
According to the Comptroller, the command has recorded fourteen seizures of assorted items which includes
8,975 litres of PMS loaded in 25-litre kegs, 189 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 71 bags of imported sugar, 42 bales of second hand clothing and 36 sacks of used shoes.
Others are 74 cartons of bleaching cream, 110 Solar Batteries, 105 Cartons of medicine, 7 used vehicles as means of conveyance and 1 tanker truck under detention that was suspected to have been smuggled into the country in contravention of Federal government extant policy, prohibiting importation of vehicles through land borders.
He said, the Command was equipped with all logistics provided by the management of the Service to carry out duty as enshrined in Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) CAP C45 LFN, 2004.
Comptroller Oramalugo, explains that, section 167 gives the agency the power to seize goods improperly imported in contravention of extant laws.
He stated that, the service has engaged in anti smuggling activities to protect local industries and strengthen the nation’s border security, adding that, it is also to prevent the influx of goods harmful to health and the economy.
The Comptroller therefore assured to create an avenue where only permissible goods from other neighbouring countries and the indigenous goods will be traded without hindrance to achieve and even surpass the Command’s set target for the year 2023.
Abdullahi Tukur
