28th January, 2022
By Hussaina Yakubu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘B’ Federal Operations Unit (FOU), has seized 250 parcels of goods amongst other smuggled goods worth N275.989 million between Dec. 22, 2021, and Jan. 27.
The Comptroller in charge of the zone, Al-Bashir Hamisu, made this known to newsmen in Kaduna, on Thursday.
He said that the goods seized were 250 parcels of Indian hemp and 60 pieces of foreign Jack knives, among other smuggled goods.
Hamisu said that it was among the 109 seizures made within the said period.
The zone covers the north western states of Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, kano, Kebbi states, alongside Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Sokoto and the FCT in the North central zone.
Hamisu said out of 109 seizures made during the period were 856 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each and that of the total, 316 bags were seized in Sokoto, Katsina and Kwara.
Other items included 474 kegs of 25 litres each of premium motor spirit, 16 units of used vehicles, 92 bales of foreign second hand clothing and 14 bales of new foreign textiles.
Other items impounded by the service, included six units of vehicles as means of conveyance, 44 bags of foreign rice concealed in rice paddy, and 825 cartons of foreign spaghetti and macaroni.
“72 pieces of foreign used tyres, 20 cartons of foreign cigarettes, 12 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, 45 litres of foreign motor engine oil among other items seized” he added.
He said that the over 250 parcels of Indian hemp were handed over to the NDLEA representative, Deputy state commandant in charge of operations and intelligence, Kaduna state command, Aliyu Dan Musa.
According to him, the gesture was part of the synergy between the agency and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Comptroller Hamisu attributed the success of his officers within the period to the motivation received in the form of 18 new operational vehicles from the NCS management.
He noted that the vehicles had really upgraded the operational capacity of the zone which enabled them discharge their duties adequately.
He promised to redouble efforts at ensuring the zone and the nation was free of smuggling for the economic benefit of the country.
Hamisu further reiterated their commitment to ensure that foreign rice and other related goods were not allow into the country.
He added that citizens should also support the federal government’s programme for the betterment of Nigeria .