FOU ‘A’ INTERCEPTS ITEMS OF ILLEGITIMATE TRADE WORTH OVER ₦3.2BN, RECOVERS REVENUES OF OVER ₦728.9M

Story by Dili Utomi.

Interventionist federal operations unit, zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service has in the course of carrying out its mandate of the protection of the national economy, seized various items of illegitimate trade. This was disclosed Monday by the coordinator of the zone, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu while briefing newsmen about the activities of the Unit at the premises of the Customs Training College, Ikeja Lagos.

Comptroller Aliyu had revealed that the Zone ‘A’ of the Unit has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and smuggled goods valued at N3,237,132,640.00 in Duty Paid Value, while recovery the sum of N728,976,725.03. The operation he noted anchored on sharpened risk profiling, rigorous compliance checks, and targeted strikes against suspicious declarations, underscores the Unit’s unrelenting commitment to protecting local industries, securing government revenue, and keeping Nigeria’s trade corridors free of contraband.

Comptroller Aliyu described the revenue recovery as encouraging and reaffirmed the Unit’s determination to identify and recover revenue lost through under-declaration, false declarations, and other forms of customs fraud. He urged importers, exporters, and licensed customs agents to ensure accurate declarations and full compliance with extant customs laws and regulations, stressing that the Unit would continue to facilitate legitimate trade while taking decisive action against individuals and businesses engaged in smuggling and revenue evasion.

Bags of seized foreign parboiled rice on display at the briefing.

In his words “The Unit asserted that the interception of foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, poultry products, foreign-used vehicles, used clothing, and other prohibited goods would contribute to protecting domestic industries, supporting national food security, and safeguarding legitimate government revenue. Similarly, the interception of illicit drugs, unregulated pharmaceutical products, and other controlled substances contributes to protecting public health and preventing the circulation of substances capable of undermining the wellbeing of citizens, particularly young Nigerians. The recovery of elephant tusks also reinforces the Service’s role in supporting national efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species”.

Comptroller Aliyu emphasises that the Unit’s enforcement activities are being undertaken within a balanced framework that combines robust border enforcement with trade facilitation. He attributed the successes recorded during the period to enhanced intelligence gathering, risk profiling, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence fusion, and the cooperation of stakeholders and members of the public. He assured compliant traders of the Service’s continued commitment to creating a fair, predictable, and transparent trading environment, while warning that the Unit would sustain its zero-tolerance approach to smuggling, revenue fraud, and other forms of economic sabotage.

Comptroller Aliyu with some of the seized items.

In his words “Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), through FOU ‘A’, reiterates its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s economic objectives by protecting domestic production, promoting compliance, facilitating legitimate trade, and preventing the entry and circulation of prohibited and harmful goods. The Unit appreciates the continued support of sister agencies, stakeholders, border communities, and members of the public whose intelligence and cooperation contribute significantly to its enforcement efforts. Comptroller Aliyu called for sustained partnership from the business community and the general public, noting that collective compliance and vigilance remain essential to consolidating the gains recorded in revenue recovery, border protection, public safety, and national economic development”.

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