Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘C’ (FOU C), has intercepted contraband goods with a duty-paid value (DPV) of N510.9 million within a two-month period, from 15 July to 15 September, 2024.

This was revealed during a press briefing by the Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu, on 17 September, 2024, in Benin City, Edo State.

According to Comptroller Ugbagu, the seized items, intercepted within the area of the unit's coverage, include 49,699 sachets of various brands of tramadol, 3,350 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine without proper NAFDAC registration, 1,015 sacks of dry donkey meat and skin, 75 jumbo bales of second-hand clothing, 463 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 269 used pneumatic tyres, and 56 cartons of foreign tomato paste.

Comptroller Ugbagu lamented the critical danger posed by tramadol and codeine-laced syrups to Nigerian youth, noting that these substances, if undetected, could have devastating social and health impacts.

He added that over a thousand sacks of donkey meat and skin were intercepted. "Nigeria, as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), has placed a ban on the trade of donkeys due to their endangered status," he stated.

He further noted that the illicit trade in donkey parts, often destined for Asian markets, has been an ongoing concern. "In response, the NCS, in collaboration with relevant authorities to destroy the seized donkey meat and prevent further illegal trade," he emphasized.

While stressing that smugglers have adopted new tactics, such as transporting illegal goods in luxurious buses at night, the Comptroller said, "We cannot afford to lose our donkeys on the altar of illicit exports, especially considering their economic importance for agricultural purposes."

He also mentioned that the unit recovered N25.6 million through demand notices issued for various infractions, bringing the total sum of revenue saved and recovered during the operation to N536.5 million.

Comptroller Ugbagu commended Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for providing the necessary support that enabled these successful interceptions.

He urged members of the public to collaborate with the NCS by reporting smuggling activities, especially during the ember months, a period notorious for increased illicit activity.

He also issued a stern warning to economic saboteurs, stressing that the NCS would continue to intensify its efforts to protect the nation’s economy from the damaging effects of smuggling.