By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deplored the audacity of smugglers attempting to introduce hazardous products into the Nigerian market with no regard for the negative health implications on the citizenry and the national economy.

Acting Comptroller-General of the NCS Wale Adeniyi said this at the PTML Customs Command in Lagos, Friday, while showcasing expired tomato concentrates concealed in 20 containers, each falsely declared as almond shells imported from Spain by a company by the name Nikecristy Investment Ltd.

In each container seized, the CGC explained, 80 drums were meticulously arranged, amounting to a total of 1,600 drums with a total duty paid value (DPV) of N116,211,725.73.

The container numbers involved in the illicit importation are: ACLU 2790243, GCNU 1275582, GCNU 1303278, GCNU 1336137, GCNU 1361905, GCNU 1316824, GCNU 1323314, GCNU 1324727, GCNU 1326210, SEGU 3388813, ACLU 2800629, GCLU 13218553, GCNU 1340991 and GCNU 1353290.

Others are GCNU 1302570, GCNU 1308140, SEGU 3333426 and SEGU 3338351.

A suspect, Okonkwo Oliver Izunna who is currently under administrative bail is being investigated.

“The seizures processed through three separate single goods declarations forms is a testimony to our unwavering commitment to maximally surpress smuggling and our determination to safeguard the lives of Nigerian citizens by intercepting dangerous imports such as these,” the CGC stated.

“The actions taken by those involved in this unlawful activity contravene the provisions of Section 228(1) and (2),55 (c and d), and 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

Additionally, it directly violates Schedule 4, item 14 of the Common External Tariff (CET) 2022-2026.”

While sending a stern warning to importers and their agents who have refused to steer clear of unlawful practices such as false declarations to evade duties or smuggling prohibited goods into the country, Adeniyi described as “heartless and inexcusable” the audacious attempt to introduce such a large quantity of expired food products into the Nigerian market.

“I want to assure you that our officers and personnel will always remain vigilant, diligently scrutinizing all imports and export consignments passing through our seaports, airports, border stations, dry ports and terminals nationwide,” he affirmed.

However, for compliant importers and their agents who make patriotic and honest declarations, he promised that there is nothing to fear as compliance brings numerous benefits including building a reputation for integrity.

Other gains are saving time and money by avoiding demand notices and penalties and doing without legal troubles that could lead to imprisonment, loss of licenses and blacklisting.

Speaking at the event, Francis Ononiwu, NAFDAC Investigation and Enforcement Director who stood in for the DG condemned the illicit importation of tomato concentrates, arguing that allowing it into the Nigerian market for consumption can even cause death at the end of the day if not properly managed. He promised that the agency would do the needful to further investigate and prosecute in accordance with her establishment statutes.

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

Losses smugglers usually incur as they engage in anti-trade activities, if channeled into legitimate business, stand to remarkably improve their individual business fortunes as well as the nation’s economy.

Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC), Ogun Area 1 Command, Idiroko, Deputy Controller Ahmadu Shuaibu stated this at a symposium organized by the Ipokia Local Government Youth Forum (IPYF) on the theme: “Smuggling and Hoarding of Petroleum Products: Effects on Boarder Communities and National Security”.

The CAC regretted that N1.51bn lost to smuggling between January to October, 2023, was enough to improve the business fortunes of those involved as well as Nigeria’s economy if channeled into legitimate trade.

He described the IPYF symposium as an opportunity to enlighten the border communities, especially the youths, about the consequences of smuggling on their lives, socio-economic wellbeing and national security.

The CAC who was represented by Charles Ogunesan, the Command’s Deputy Controller of Administration, told the gathering that smuggling retards the nation’s economic development, hampers social wellbeing while endangering national security.

He regretted that in her concerted efforts to curb smuggling and save the nation’s economy, officers of the Ogun Area 1 Command, Idiroko, and some locals had lost their lives with others suffering permanent disability.

“The Command, in conjunction with the youths, use the opportunity of this auspicious occasion to bring us all together, to inform and enlighten us about the consequences of smuggling on our socioeconomic wellbeing and national security. Over the years, the Command had recorded series of horrible and unwanted experiences in our line of lawful duties. These experiences range from blocking of access road by smugglers and their sympathizers, mob attack of officers either going in pursuit of information or conveying seized goods to the government warehouses, skirmishes to altercation which often resulted to casualties.

“We have lost officers to death and permanent disability while our dear communities had lost their members to the evil of this unfortunate demon called smuggling. It is high time we said no to smuggling considering the dangers inherent in it. It retards our economic development, hampers our social wellbeing and endangers our national security.”

” From January of this year to date, for instance, the Command had made a seizure of goods worth N1,514,478,916.00. If such huge amount of money is well utilized for legitimate trade, this will no doubt improve our economy.”

He stressed that if recent seizures of smuggled ammunition and harmful substances such as Cannabis Sativa (popularly known as Indian helm), among other dangerous goods did not take place and these find their way into the society, it would constitue a huge threat to Nigeria’s socio-economic wellbeing and national security.

“Permit me to state empathically that our core mandate in Ogun State is to generate revenue, suppress smuggling, facilitate legitimate trade and secure our border lines. I want you to know that the security and development of our dear nation are the responsibility of us all,” Shuaibu explained.

In his keynote address, Barr. Kehinde Bamiwola, advised the government to reduce Customs duty and tariff on goods not locally produced in the country to reduce smuggling.

He warned that any country whose import exceeds export becomes a dumping ground with negative economic consequences.

Smuggling, he explained, kills or destroys local industries and the domestic economy.

“Smuggling creates unhealthy competition for local industries outside the doctrine of comparative cost advantage. This has nothing to do with the concept of legitimate international trade. It causes great economic loss through loss of Customs duties and taxes receivable by government and also promotes proliferation of fake, counterfeit or substandard items.

“To the Border communities, smuggling discourages education, industrialization and legitimate trade. It is an antithesis to agricultural development as well as tilting and disequilibrium the national income equation.”

He urged the government to encourage local production of goods through agric loans, subventions and free Customs duty on farm equipment and machines.

“Government should aid local production of goods that are mostly imported via agric-loans, industrialization, grants, subventions and make farm equipments and machines Customs duty free.

“Since smuggling started as reaction to high taxes and Custom duty, I hereby recommend for reduction in custom duties and tariffs on goods that are not locally produced in Nigeria.

Proper regulation and stabilization of the foreign exchange market should be done, he advised.

“Foreign currency speculators and racketeers including their sponsors (bourgeoisies or money bags) should be dealt with if we must have a sane demand and supply regulated foreign exchange market in Nigeria.”

By Izuchukwu Ozoemena

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reminded members of the business community that trading in endangered African wildlife contravenes the Convention on International Trade On Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an International Agreement among Governments which Nigeria is a signatory to.

Customs Area Controller, Seme-Krake Border Area Command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi stated this in Seme, Monday, while showcasing some seizures recorded in this regard. He condemned the criminal act of some members of the trading community engaging in the unwholesome trade even as they remain aware of the implications.

“On the 25th of September at about 0400hrs,” Comptroller Bomodi said, “Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, while on patrol along Seme – Badagry Expressway, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a luxurious bus from Kaduna enroute Benin Republic.

“Upon search of the bus, Fifty-One (51) live Green parrots, Five (5) live African Grey Parrots, Five (5) dead Green Parrots, One (1) dead African Grey Parrot, and One (1) live Hawk in iron nets and a Paper Box were discovered. Six (6) of these birds have died due to the trauma of transporting them in this condition. Two (2) suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.”

He declared that the African Parrot Birds have a duty paid value (DPV) of Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira (N6,859,932) only.

Comptroller Bomodi sounded it clear that trading in endangered bird species is illegal. He warned those engaging in the illegal trade to stay away from the Lagos – Abidjan corridor as doing otherwise would make them incur heavy losses beyond their imagination.

He promised that in line with the statutory function of the Nigeria Customs Service to promote inter-agency collaboration and synergy, and considering the nature of the item, the seized Parrot Birds would be handed over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Seme Command.

He said that the NCS would inform officials of the National Park Service about the seizure as it is their responsibility to rehabilitate and protect the endangered bird species from further harm.