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By Kenneth Jukpor
As part of efforts to curb the menace of smuggling in the country, the Seme Border command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) would prioritize robust sensitization and enlightenment campaigns for the border communities this year.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba who revealed this last week during a press briefing, also admonished members of the public to advise the friends and those in their sphere of contact against smuggling.
The Customs boss noted that smuggling continues to thrive at the Seme-Krake border because of the agelong trade relationship between communities across the border without adherence to the new policies of the government.
“These smugglers as well as the border communities have been trading for ages, hence they see the government policies/ restrictions as a threat to their business. However, these policies and restrictions are usually in the best interest of the nation either to grow local capacity or for the safety and security of the nation” he said.
Compt. Uba maintained that public enlightenment was the lasting solution to the problem even as he stressed that no human life was worth the revenue gained or seizure made by his officers.
“Our officers are armed but we always ensure that we don’t shoot. We don’t want to kill a soul over revenue or seizure and that explains why most the smugglers easily evade arrest. They also know the hideouts better than our officers because it is their community” he added.
He revealed that the command generated N1,055,122,539.68 via seizures and revenue generated in the last two months, also noting that the command intercepted 11 trucks load of rice smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.
Compt. Mohammed stated that the rice numbering about 6,753 and 45 kegs of vegetable oil were intercepted as well as 22 fairly used vehicles smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic were also intercepted by the command.
While the amiable CAC was showcasing the seizures to the press more seizures arrived the scene as officers of the command brought additional seizures of rice to the warehouse with the CAC emphasizing that the seizure was ‘fresh’ and ‘real’.
“Twenty-two fairly used vehicles and six (6) means of conveyance have also been seized. Notable amongst them are Toyota Coaster Van (2014 model), Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2011).
“Others are Mercedes Benz GLK 350 (2010), Toyota Sienna (2013), Toyota 4Runner (2014) and a host of others. The combined duty paid value (DPV) for the vehicles stands at N177,314,091 and the Grand Total for both seizures and revenue is N1,055,122,539.68.”
However, he said the total Duty Paid Value of the seized rice worth N158million while 45 kegs of vegetable oil worth N573million.
He said, “6,753 bags of 50kg foreign rice which is equivalent to over 11 Trailer trucks (DPV) N121,689,06O plus Levy of N35,790,900 making a total of N157million.
“45 pieces of 25 litres Jerry Cans of vegetable oil (DPV) N573,750, 135 bags of 50kg Bags of sugar (DPV) worth N567,000: 71 kegs of 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with a DPV of N106,500.”
The CAC also disclosed that the command seized 91 parcels of hard drugs and had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“Other items seized include 21 Cartons of Tinned Tomatoes worth N127,575, two sacks of used shoes N67,500 and 91 parcels of hard drugs.”
As a result, in the month of December 2018, the command generated the sum of six hundred and twenty-three million, twenty-eight thousand, four hundred and forty-two Naira: kobo only (N 623,028,442.68), representing about 92% of the command’s target.
The CAC also stated that the command revenue for 2019 would be surpassed with the inauguration of the Joint Border Post.
