The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it intercepted contraband with total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N249,961,343 within the first quarter of 2020.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Chedi Wada, said in Seme, on Friday, that the seizures include 43 fairly-used vehicles, 2,325 bags of rice and 74,585 litres of petroleum products.
According to the acting controller, other contraband seized include 887 cartons of frozen poultry products, 165 jerry cans of vegetable oil (25 litres each), and 399 textile materials (6 yards each).
“Others are 112 sacks of used clothes, 82 sacks of used shoes, belts and ladies hand bags, 45 wraps of cannabis and many other general merchandise goods,” he said.
Wada attributed the successes recorded by the command to strategies designed and implemented since assumption of office.
“These include the renewed synergy between different components of anti-smuggling units which formed a formidable force to counter the activities of smugglers within the nooks and crannies of Seme command.
“My commitment is to ensure that smuggling business becomes unattractive through vigorous community and public enlightenment, sensitisation on the dangers of smuggling and its impact on the economy and national security,” he said.
Display of seized 2325 bags of rice and other contraband in Seme.
On the recent approval given nine filling stations in border communities to lift petroleum products, Wada said the Joint Border Patrol team had met them and warned them against sharp practices.
“On our own, we have a patrol team that will follow the products to the station and take inventory and report back.
“At the same time, we have another patrol team that is on ground 24 hours to check all the filling stations.
“Any of them that is found selling inside jerry can or involved in any sharp practice, the station will be sealed up and its licence will be revoked.
“We have told them and they all agreed,” he said.
On COVID-19 pandemic, Wada said that several measures had been put in place to sensitise his officers, including area synergy with Port Health Services and headquarters medical team.
“The command has received protective items, we have educated our officers on regular washing of hands, usage of face masks and strict adherence to social distancing rules,” he said.
