Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has intercepted a large consignment of donkey skins intended for export, along with other prohibited items valued at N8,098,001,199 in July 2024.

Comptroller Kola Oladeji, in charge of the Unit, who disclosed this to journalists in Ikeja on Friday, 30 July 2024, revealed that the Unit made a total of 70 seizures during the month under review.

Notable among the seizures are 6,168 pieces of donkey skin (with a total dry weight of 29,606 kg); 37,630 sachets of Tramadol (250 mg); 11,820 new machetes; 4,740 bags of foreign parboiled rice; 978 kg of Cannabis sativa; 1,145 cartons of poultry products; 15 imported vehicles; 257 bales of used clothing; and 11,700 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.

Comptroller Oladeji emphasised that the unit is taking more proactive measures to combat smuggling with increased vigour as the Ember months approach. "Our intelligence and the past behaviour of smugglers suggest the likelihood of heightened desperation to smuggle. Consequently, we are intensifying our efforts in line with the directives of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi."

"I can confidently state that our resistance to smugglers' desperation is effective, leading to the seizure of their goods and the arrest of suspects. We will remain relentless and uncompromising in this regard."

He noted that the anti-smuggling operations of the unit resulted in the arrest of 14 male suspects.

Regarding revenue recovery, the unit head stated that N133,696,223.98 was generated through documentary checks and the issuance of Demand Notices on consignments that were found to have been underpaid. "The entire amount has been paid into the Federation account accordingly."

Comptroller Oladeji was firm in his statement that smugglers of petroleum products and illicit drugs now face significant challenges from his officers.

"While the Federal Government is committed to ensuring the availability of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, for Nigerians, some smugglers are determined to export the products for their personal gain. To be clear, this category of smugglers will have us to contend with."

"Regarding the seizure of Tramadol and Cannabis sativa, we will hand them over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action in accordance with existing regulations and in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration," he explained.

He urged Nigerians to avoid smuggling and not to be lured into crime by the pursuit of wealth. He also called on traders and Customs clearing agents to be honest in their declarations and ensure that duty payments are made to avoid the consequences of alternative actions.