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Customs seize 139 trailers of rice, other banned cargo valued at N10billion 

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The Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it seized rice and other prohibited cargo valued at over N10 billion for the year 2023.

 

Speaking with Newsmen on Wednesday, the Comptroller of the Zone, Controller Hussain Ejubunu, said that the zone made a total of 1,119 seizures with a total duty value of N10.395 billion for the year 2023.

 

Ejubunu added that the most prominent of the seizures was foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

He explained that the seizure comprised vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tyres, poultry products, footwear, petroleum products, etc.

 

The most prominent of the seizures was foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

He said, “We aim to discourage Nigerians from participating in any form of smuggling activity, either as sponsors, couriers, informants, or other forms of enablers.

 

“As a unit charged with anti-smuggling functions in the South West Zone, overseeing an area with international borders, the busiest airport in Nigeria, and the two largest seaports in the country, FOU Zone A area of responsibility is indeed wide.

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“With the morale and logistics support from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, we were able to prosecute the fight against smuggling diligently by making seizures, effecting arrests, and collecting revenue for government in the course of discharging our functions.

 

“The report of our seizures and arrests being given to you today attests to the relentless and uncompromising enforcement we deployed in the fight against smuggling in 2023. It is indeed a fallout of the positive energy and selflessness we displayed in the course of our work.

 

“Last year we made 1,119 seizures worth a total duty paid value of N10,395,123,943; comprising of rice, vehicles, marijuana, tramadol, used tyres, poultry products, footwear, petroleum products, etc. The most prominent of the seizures is foreign parboiled rice, which amounted to 139 trailer loads (83,170 bags of 50kg).

 

“A breakdown of other seizures includes13,706 kegs by 25 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS 8,372 kg of Indian Hemp 2,942 pieces of tyres 2,153 bales of used clothes 3,095 cartons of frozen poultry
320 cartons of illicit drugs, 15 pieces of bulletproof jackets, 15 pieces of jack knives, and 68 pieces of military camouflage.

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Others are 450 drums with 106 kg of carbide, 1 x 40 ft and 2 x 20 ft containers found to contain charcoal, and 132 units of foreign used vehicles.

 

“A total of 136 persons were arrested at various points within our area of responsibility. They were suspected to be smugglers, and after due diligence, uncompromising profiling, and investigation, they were charged to court and are at different stages of prosecution.

 

“16 people were convicted through the Federal High Courts for committing offences of improper importation, assault of Customs officers, being in possession of foreign parboiled rice, and being in possession of Pangolin scales meant for export.

 

“Some other smuggling-related cases instituted in the courts are at various stages of prosecution and would be followed up diligently. This year, 2024, we shall continue, through our legal seat, to follow all pending court cases to logical conclusions.

 

“The unit was able to recover a total of N851,719,905.01 as revenue through meticulous document checking. We were able to identify shortfalls in duty payments from which demand notices were issued, and accurate revenue was recovered. These are revenues that would have been lost by the federal government to the pockets of some compliant businessmen.

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“I want to reiterate that our battle to prevent smuggling will be intensified this year as we have contravened the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. If they don’t desist from their criminal ways, this year will be tougher for them because they will lose their investments and freedom when arrested.

 

“Let me put on record that we shall lawfully arrest and prosecute any individual involved in the attack on our officers who are discharging their legitimate responsibilities. No attacker of our personnel will be spared from facing the full wrath of the law.”

 

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After five days, body of missing Lagos drainage worker recovered

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After days of intensive search, the corpse of a drainage worker, who got trapped while clearing the debris that blocked a tunnel in the Onipanu area of Lagos State has been recovered.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, while confirming this in a statement on Friday, identified the deceased as 59-year-old Tajudeen Amololo.

 

The LASEMA boss in the statement said, “The victim identified as Mr. Tajudeen Amololo (age-59) has been recovered dead from the drainage and bagged by cobra team subsequently handed him over to LAMATA (Drainducks) with the Nigeria Police Force Ilupeju Division officials for adequate action.

“Recovery operation concluded while cobra team with the agency’s paramedic heading back to base.”

 

The sad incident happened on Monday while the victim was de-silting drainage in the community.

 

Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority employed a male adult who works for Drain Ducks.

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Depraved: Man arrested for raping four-year-old girl in Ekiti

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The Ekiti State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has apprehended one Afolabi Ojo for allegedly raping a four-year-old pupil.

It was gathered that the mother of the young girl reported the incident at the NSCDC Command in Ado-Ekiti, where she informed officials that the assault took place on Olujoda Street. Subsequently, the suspect was arrested.

 

During questioning, the girl disclosed that the suspect had removed her underwear and sexually assaulted her late in April.

Additionally, the girl’s mother stated that her daughter had confided in her about the incident.

 

However, the suspect denied all allegations, claiming he was falsely accused.

 

The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, Tolu Afolabi, confirmed that a medical examination had been conducted on the girl.

Afolabi revealed that the medical report confirmed the rupture of the hymen of the young girl.

 

Furthermore, Afolabi stated that the command had initiated an investigation into the matter.

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Customs intercepts cryptocurrency machines, $1.2 million, 148 drones in Lagos

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The Murtala Muhammed International Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers intercepted fake $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines in Lagos.

Speaking on Thursday during the hand over of the seized items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Charles Orbih, customs area commander, said the items were confiscated between January and April.

 

Orbih said the intercepted items were handed over to the appropriate authorities in Lagos as directed by Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs.

 

“The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos,” NAN quoted Orbih as saying.

 

“The counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s assistant commander, Oguzi Moses.

 

“Also, the UAVs and other military hardware were handed over to the General Officer commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.”

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He said the importers of the UAVs were unable to present an end-user certificate (EUC) from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

 

“Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” he added.

The area commander said the NCS generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April this year, adding that there was a 67 percent increase in collection when juxtaposed with 2023.

“In line with the NCS mandate of revenue collection, revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and national security, the officers and men of the command under my watch remained resolute and dedicated in ensuring the blockage of revenue leakages,” he added.

“The command also ensured facilitation of legitimate trade through a combined effort, in compliance with the policy thrust of the comptroller-general of customs.

 

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“The command generated N19 billion between January and April 2024. This represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year 2024 and 67 percent increase in collection against the preceding year of 2023.

 

“In our continued effort to block revenue leakages, the command made some seizures and detention of the following items — precious stones such as zinc, lithium, copper stones/sand, 120 pieces of SIM cards.

 

“The command seized four drones with a duty paid value of N7.8 million; one wooden giraffe statue and five bulletproof jackets with a DPV of N1.25 million.”

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