The Nigeria Customs Service has recently made significant efforts in uncovering substantial contraband worth billions of naira.
This is a part of an ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat illicit activities.
In a dramatic turn at Onne Port, Rivers State, the Nigeria Customs Service uncovered illicit items concealed within nine containers, valued at ₦13.9 billion.
The revelation came during a press briefing led by the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi.
He detailed the complex operations that led to these seizures.
Adeniyi explained how one container from Turkey raised suspicions, prompting customs to conduct an extensive tracking effort across continents.
Items Discovered
“On Friday 21st of June 2024, the auspicious container was subjected to a thorough physical examination.
‘Inside the container were 844 units of assorted riffles and 12,500 pieces of life ammunition.”
Which Adeniyi said were “concealed with various items like doors, furniture fittings and leather bags.”
The NCS boss stated that the duty-paid value of the container was ₦4.2bn.
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After securing a detention warrant from a competent court of justice, authorities arrested three suspects in connection with the seizures.
On the other containers, Adeniyi said, “On Saturday, our officers intercepted eight pieces of 40-foot containers transiting from a bonded terminal
“On examination, six of the containers were laden with 1.5 million bottles of cough syrup of codeine in 100ml sizes, 3.5m tablets of tramadol.
“The duty-paid value of the containers is ₦9.6 billion, and the total duty paid value of the nine containers is ₦13.9 billion,” concluded the customs boss.
Customs Commitment
On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2 of the NCS said it intercepted 1,410 litres of premium motor spirit worth ₦30.4m within one week.
The team’s Coordinator, Mohammad Shuaibu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos State. ”
These recent interceptions by the Nigeria Customs Service underscore their unwavering commitment.
According to the agency, its priority is securing the nation’s borders and safeguarding against illicit activities.
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