The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has revealed the interception of a container truck carrying 37 bales and four rolls of Nigeria Police camouflage uniforms. The seizure, made in December along the Lokoja-Abuja highway, resulted in the arrest of four suspects based on credible intelligence.
Comptroller Chedi Wada of Zone ‘B’ disclosed this information during a briefing in Kaduna, providing details on the unit’s seizures between November and December 31, 2023. The total of 71 seizures, encompassing 12 different items, had serious implications for the health and safety of Nigerians.
Wada stated, “After a 100% physical examination, 37 bales and 4 rolls of Nigeria Police camouflage uniforms alongside other different items were discovered in the truck. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure. The 71 seizures which were made in different locations within the Zone worth the Duty Paid Value (DOV) of ₦406.9 million.”
“The breakdown showed that, due to the positive use of credible intelligence by the FOU, Zone B operatives, eight used vehicles, as well as two means of conveyance were impounded during the period.”
The confiscated police uniforms have been handed over to the Kaduna State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), for further investigation and potential prosecution. This collaborative effort aligns with inter-agency cooperation, with the necessary approval obtained from the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Wada emphasised that these seizures were in line with the unit’s commitment to enforcing compliance with the Nigerian government’s directives on the closure of all land borders with the Niger Republic. Notably, the constant patrols resulted in the interception of 195 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 877 jerry cans of petroleum motor spirit (PMS).
Furthermore, other seizures during this period included 240 bales of foreign second-hand clothing, 10 jerry cans of foreign refined vegetable oil, 415 cartons of foreign spaghetti, macaroni, and couscous, 349 cartons of foreign new unisex shoes, 500mg of 3,400 sachets of foreign amoxicillin, and 35 cartons of foreign flame lighters.
Wada concluded by highlighting the unit’s achievements in seizing hard drugs and assorted goods throughout the year 2023, representing a 100% increase compared to 2022, with a total DPV of about N4 billion.