From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Unregistered pharmaceutical products, including tramadol, and other contraband goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N529.05 million were intercepted between January 1st and February 28th this year by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ (FOUC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Also, six suspects were arrested during the period and have been released on administrative bail, Comptroller Ali Ibrahim disclosed while showcasing the seizures in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday.
The drugs included 640 cartons of unregistered pharmaceutical products with DPV of N192 million, which were intercepted along the Okada/Benin axis in a DAF heavy duty truck and one J5 transit bus, according to a statement from the Command Public Relations Officer, Jerry Attah.
In addition, there were eight exotic vehicles without relevant Customs documents, including three Toyota Hilux (2017, 2020 and 2021 models), Land Cruiser Prado (2016 model), Toyota Highlander 2014 and Toyota Venza 2016, among others.
There were also 1,650 bales of used clothing valued at N165 million, intercepted along the Umuikaa/Aba Road, and 181x50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice worth over N7.2 million, which were intercepted along the Akwa-Ibom/Calabar axis.
Others included 2,239 pieces of used pneumatic tyres valued at N4.5 million and 36,000 litres of smuggled petroleum products concealed in polyethylene bags, worth N3.6 million, were intercepted.
Ibrahim thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), and his management team for their unwavering support and motivation, while commiserating with families and loved ones of four officers who died while on duty.
He assured that the agency was synergising with other security agencies to ensure continued safety of its officers and men, adding: “I also commend our officers and men for their patriotic commitment to duty even in the face of unprovoked attacks.
“Similarly, I urge all economic saboteurs to turn a new leaf from their illegal business, as we are more resolute to ensure untiring implementation of government’s fiscal policy within our areas of coverage without any deterrence.”
He further called on traditional, religious leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians to advise their followers to desist from attacking security personnel, in the interest of peace and progress.
