As part of the continuous strategic plan of the Nigeria Customs Service to implement new policies that will intensify security across the Nigerian borders through curbing the menace of illegal importation of goods and working towards generating revenue, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ Kaduna recorded massive progress from May to July 2023.

In a statement signed by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman and obtained by NCBN on Friday, 21st July 2023, the Comptroller in charge of the Unit, Comptroller Musa Ibrahim Jalo, said that in line with the primary functions of Customs as suppression of smuggling and anti-economic activities by undesirable elements, his Officers and Men under the Unit have recorded a total of 179 seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1, 044,772,159.80.

He reiterated that all the triumphs being recorded were a result of the solid foundation that he inherited from his predecessor, ACG Albashir Hamisu, adding that he will not only sustain the traction of his Unit but also improve its performance to achieve more.

According to him, the items intercepted in different locations within the Zone were mainly intelligence-driven and accurate vigilance, as well as the stiff diligence of Officers and Men of the Unit in collaboration with the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) in Kebbi. 

He said that the substances seized were: 21 Units of Used Vehicles, 11 Units of Vehicles means of conveyance of illegal items, 2234 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (50Kg each), 48 Bags of Foreign Parboiled Rice (25Kg each), 226 Jerrycans of Foreign Refined Vegetable Oil (25litres each) and 2780 Cartons of Foreign Spaghetti, Macaroni and Couscous.

Other seized items were 278 Bales of Foreign Second Hand Clothing, 15 Sacks of Foreign Second Hand Shoes, 140 Cartons of Foreign Tin Tomato Paste, Foreign Pomade, Foreign Milky Creamer, Foreign Green Tea, Foreign Milk, 149 Cartons of Foreign Fruit Juice, Foreign Soap, Foreign Matches and 140 Jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (25litres each).

Speaking further, Comptroller Jalo said that his Men have also succeeded in seizing 1000 Jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (25litres each), Foreign Used Tyres, Foreign Eclairs Sweets, Foreign Shisha (Tobacco), Foreign Expired Cigarettes, Foreign Vitamin D3 Supplements, Foreign Charcoal Briskets, Foreign LPG Cylinders (100Kg each), Foreign Tiger Nut (100Kg each), Foreign Used Belts and 81 Parcels of Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) amongst others.

“We will continue to confront all acts of smuggling and crush every obstacle on the way with all lawful force, therefore, l advise Nigerians to take advantage of the renewed hope agenda of the new administration and the commitment of our Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, to raise the scale of trade facilitation through improved compliance and continuous partnership and engagement.” 

According to him, the Unit has since handed over some of the seized items outside its primary purview to relevant Agencies., emphasising that “We have enjoyed their unwavering corporation and support and solicit for more collaboration, including your good selves, our revered fourth estate of the realm, for showcasing our activities even as we look forward to more of your objective reportage.”