..Seizes Contraband Worth N498.6 Million
From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs service has generated N10.167 billion as revenue in the first quarter of 2022.
Briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters on Thursday, the new Area Comptroller of the Command, Mr. Muhammad A. Umar, said the amount was against N7.6 billion generated in the last quarter of last year.
Umar, who spoke tough against the activities of smugglers within the area, said the Command made seizures of contraband items worth about N498, 662, 498.00.
According to him, the Command expects more increase in revenue generation, “as our activities at the free trade zone has improved.
“The Command will continue to put in place necessary measures to improve on the collection so far with the support from other units of the service such as the CIU, CPU, FOU, Border Drill and strike force.
“We shall maintain the success through synergy. We will continue to dialogue, engage and educate the local and business community on the security, health and economic implication of smuggling, while discharging our statutory responsibilities of enforcing compliance with government fiscal policies.”
He added that the Command will continuously engage in sensitizing the public on the need to clear their goods through the Inland Terminals.
The Customs boss listed the seized items to include 1, 031 bags of 50kg foreign rice worth N29, 822,000.00; 151 cartons of spaghetti worth N3, 171,000.00; 91 cartons of macaroni worth N1, 638,000.00; 1,237 cartons of foreign mayor soap worth N16, 108, 000.00; six bags of 25kg foreign rice worth N120, 000.00; 132 bales of second hand cloths worth N9, 825, 000.00; three bags of Donkey penni’s worth N29, 084,000.00.
Other seized items include 50 cartons of foreign matches worth N150, 125.00; 15 cartons of milky non diary powder worth N111,235.00; 22 sacks of rubber shoes worth N510,, 263.00; a truck used for conveying smuggled items worth N17, 931,000.00; 1X 40 Container worth N810, 000.00.
He further stated that, “the seizures were made at different locations within the Command’s area of coverage.
“Four suspects held in connection of the Donkey’s skin has been released on administrative bail pending conclusion of investigation.
“More importantly, the importation of foreign rice through the land border is prohibited. The importation contravened section 46 of CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004.
“While, importation of second hand clothing is absolutely prohibited under schedule ii of items 17 of Common External Tariff, Donkey, as we all know is an endangered species under Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory.
“I have ish to use this opportunity to warn the members of the public that Kao/Jigawa Area Command has zero tolerances for smuggling activities and will not rest on her oars until smuggling is reduced to the barest minimum.”
