Customs seizes N31.9m contraband in Bauchi

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone D of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bauchi, has made a seizure of contraband worth N31.944 millon.

Mr Adesanmi Omiye, the Comptroller of the unit made this known on Thursday in Bauchi.

Omiye said operatives of the unit, who had succeeded in blocking and suppressing smuggling within the zone, made the seizure of the goods between April to date.

“The total duty paid value (DPV) of the contraband intercepted was worth N31,944,700. The goods include 1230 of 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, 28 bales of used clothing, 25 x 25 litres jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil.

“Others are 22 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 562×25 Litres jerry cans of premium motor spirit PMS and 14 units of used vehicles, as means of conveyance,” he said.

According to him, due to the combustible and hazardous nature of premium motor spirit (PMS), it had since been auctioned and the accrual paid into the Federation account.

Omiye said that the actions of the operatives was in line with the provisions of Section 8 (Officers to have Powers of Police Officers), Section 147.

“That gives officers powers to search premises without warrant, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that goods liable for forfeiture are concealed.

“Section 158 (Power to Patrol Freely) of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended,” Omiye said.

The comptroller observed that the unprecedented seizures were achieved as a result of sharing of information, intelligence gathering and doggedness of the officers and men of the zone.

He urged Nigerians to assist in providing genuine information that would aid in eradicating the menace of smuggling in the zone and the country at large.

“Eradicating smuggling in this country will boost the economy which will make the Federal Government provide social amenities to the citizen,” he said.

While reiterating the service commitment to make the zone unbearable to smugglers, the comptroller warned smugglers of the legal consequences when arrested.