Ahead of elections, Customs intercepts military camouflage, others in Lagos

…. Arrests 11 suspects 

With barely three weeks to the 2023 general elections, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said it has intercepted 68 pieces of military camouflage, 1,235 wraps of Indian Hemp weighing 1,163kg and other contraband items worth N517.9million.

Acting Controller of the unit, Hussein Ejibunu, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday said the goods were seized along the borders within the South West Zone.

Ejibunu, while handing over the seized Indian hemp to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) said the seizure and others were made by operatives of the unit in January.

He said considering the spate of insecurity across the country and the forth coming general elections, the importation of Indian Hemp and military camouflage could be used to fuel crimes and electoral violence by unpatriotic elements.

“While the former is under prohibition, the latter are under the control and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which requires End-User Certificates.

“Members of the public are hereby, enjoined to key into the prevailing security concerns by providing useful, and timely information that would expose and lead to the arrest of the enemies of the state,” he said.

Ejibunu listed other seized items to include 5,481 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled rice equivalent to over 9 trailer loads, 47,750 litres of premium motor spirit,   314 pieces of used tyres, 11 units of used motorcycles, 13 units of used vehicles and  450 × 106 kg drums of carbide (on detention).

He said 11 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the wares while three had been convicted for the crime of smuggling by the Federal High Court.

Speaking, he said, “Seizures recorded by the unit are a reflection of officers’ commitment to duty, and no compromise posture in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities; aimed at protecting the national economy and preventing the importation of prohibited, and harmful goods.

“In continuation of our anti-smuggling drive and protection of revenue loss, this Unit had re-strategized its operations and re-injected new schemes to tackle the economic menace caused by recalcitrant importers and agents. We have harnessed our human resources and logistics for the prevention of economic sabotage.

“We did not only re-strategize our operations but our officers are urged to be more professional, and are keyed into the Service’s Standard Operations Procedure (SOP); aimed at facilitating legitimate trade.

“In doing this, we are assuring all compliant traders and importers that they have nothing to fear. While the recalcitrant ones are advised to desist because we are better mobilized with high morale to arrest, prosecute, and make them loose their wares in forfeiture to the federal government.”

Ejibunu added that the unit recovered N86 million as revenue into the federation account through the issuance of demand notices (DN) on Customs duties that were discovered to be underpaid.