The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara Command, on Wednesday, said it seized various smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N478,171,315.
The Comptroller of the Command, Mr Najeem Ogundeyi, made this known during a news conference in Ilorin.
Ogundeyi said that the seizures were recorded through intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations across the command’s area of responsibility.
He said the command remained resolute in enforcing anti-smuggling laws and would not allow Kwara to serve as a safe haven for illegal trade.
“It is barely two months since our last press briefing where we highlighted successes recorded through robust anti-smuggling operations.
“I made it clear then that smuggling would not be tolerated under my watch, and that the Kwara Area Command would remain firm and uncompromising in enforcing the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
The comptroller, however, regretted that some individuals had continued to engage in smuggling activities in pursuit of illicit profit.
Ogundeyi said that the command had consistently responded to such unlawful acts with firm and intelligence-led enforcement operations.
According to him, while the command is committed to combating smuggling, it also supports policies that promote legitimate trade, economic development and national prosperity.
He cited the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of foreign parboiled rice as a policy aimed at encouraging local production, empowering farmers and strengthening national food security.
“Unfortunately, the continued illegal importation of foreign rice threatens these national objectives and the stability of the domestic agricultural sector,” Ogundeyi said.
The comptroller said that items seized by the command included five units of second-hand vehicles, popularly known as Tokunbo vehicles, intercepted at the Alapa Patrol Base and Bode Saadu axis.
He listed other seizures as 60 sacks of second-hand clothing, six jumbo sacks and two bales of second-hand clothing, as well as 222 units of used compressors and 15 used tyres intercepted in the Eiyenkorin area of the state.
Also seized were 44 bags of 50kg imported sugar intercepted at Bukuro and Bode Saadu axis, Ogundeyi said.
The comptroller further said that 317 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) suspected to be meant for illegal cross-border smuggling were intercepted at various patrol bases.
He added that 1,107 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg and 120 sacks of illegally mined lithium ore were also seized during separate operations.
According to him, nine vehicles loaded with foreign parboiled rice were also intercepted during coordinated anti-smuggling operations within the command’s operational corridors.
Ogundeyi said that this underscored the command’s commitment to intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at curbing economic sabotage, protecting legitimate businesses and safeguarding government revenue.
The comptroller commended the collaboration between the command and other security and regulatory agencies, noting that inter-agency cooperation had been instrumental in the successes recorded.
He also appreciated the Controller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for their support and guidance.
The comptroller further acknowledged the role of the media in raising public awareness on the dangers of smuggling and promoting national economic interests.
Ogundey said that the Kwara command’s main revenue source remained collection of excise duties from industries in the state.
According to him, the command generated N2,527,531,290 as revenue within the period under review.
He urged members of the public to embrace legitimate trade and desist from engaging in smuggling and other illegal economic activities.
“The fight against smuggling is not the responsibility of the Nigeria Customs Service alone. It requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders, including border communities, traders and the general public,” Ogundeyi said.
