The operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service Strike Force under Zone B, Kaduna have raided smugglers’ warehouses and seized many smuggled items in Kano.
A statement by Aminu Mohammed, spokesman for the zonal office, said the command is determined to check smuggling and other unwholesome practices in the states under its jurisdiction.
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Based on the matching order given by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) to double efforts on Suppressing Smuggling and Maximum Collection of Revenue, Blockage of Revenue Leakages without compromising the National Interest and Security of the Nation.
The Team led by DC OA OLORUKOOBA on Information Patrol strikes warehouses in Kano-Katsina Road where these smuggled items were kept. These include the following:
1. 899 Bags of Foreign Rice 50KG each with duty paid value of N19,683,397.00
2. 410 cartons of Macaroni with duty paid value of N1,271,000.00
3. 143 cartons of Tomato paste with duty paid value of N3,333,100.00
4. 249 cartons of Creamer Milk with duty paid value of N4,731,000.00
5. 318 cartons of Spaghetti with duty paid value of N985,800.00
6. 5 Cartons of Eva Soap with duty paid value of N110,000.00
7. Cuscus Lina with duty paid value of N229,400.00
The total Duty Paid Value is at N22,767,047.00
DC Olorukoba Oseini Aliyu called on Nigerians to engage in agricultural activities and legitimate business to boost our economy and provide job opportunities rather than smuggling. He reiterated that Nigeria Customs Service will fish out any smuggling and will track, arrest and prosecute the culprit.
He added that the above anti-smuggling success is a sound warning to those who have intention to exploit smuggling within the nation. Our Officers and Men were trained, skillful and strategically positioned to look and curtail such intentions.
Also during the showcasing of the items in Kano, the chairman of Sabon Gari/Singer Market, Alhaji Uba Yakasai disputed the notion by some people that the items were meant for Singer market shops. He said they were law abiding citizens and promised to continue sensitizing people on the dangers of smuggling as it cripples the nation’s economy and development. In addition, he advised and called on Nigerians to comply and support the Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Government in achieving the goal of suppressing smuggling and boosting of economy.
